Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country

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Standard History of

Adams and Wells Counties

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Indiana

An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended
Survey of Modern Developments in the
• Progress of Town and Country

Under the Editorial Supervision of

• JOHN W. TYNDALL, Decatur

For Adams County
and

O. E. LESH, Bluffton

For Wells County

Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors

VOLUME II

ILLUSTRATED

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK

1918

f

1204201

r. A. ALLEX

Adams and Wells Counties

Prof. Philemon A. Allen, superintendent of the public schools of
Blufftou, Indiana, has been associated with educational work in the
Hoosier State during much of his active career. For twelve years, how-
ever, he was interested in journalism and during that time was editor
of the Bluft'ton Banner. Holding advanced ideas concerning education
and methods of teaching, during the ten years of his incumbency as
superintendent of the Blutfton schools, he has introduced many methods
that are proving of the most practical value in making the school what
it ever should be — a preparation for the responsible duties which devolve
upon evei-y individual after reaching maturity. His course has received
the hearty approval of the most progressive citizens of Bluft'ton and he
has procured the co-operation of his teachers to such an extent that the
result is one of great benefit to the pupils enrolled.

A native of Whitley County, Indiana, Philemon A. Allen was born
January 29, 1853, and he is a son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Force)
Allen, both natives of Akron, Ohio, where they were reared, educated
and married. Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Allen came to Indiana in 1843
and located in Whitley County, then all woods, and there operated a
saw mill with marked success for a number of years. There were nine
children born to them, three of whom died in infancy and three of whom
are living, in 1917. William and Wesley Allen, two of their sons, were
both Union soldiers in the Civil war. The Aliens were devoHt members
of the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church and they were influential citizens in
their own community.

Born and reared on a farm. Professor Allen attended the neighbor-
ing district school during the winter months and in the summer time ably'
assisted his father and brothers in the work and management of the old
homestead. So diligent had he been in procuring an education that at
the age of seventeen years he began to teach school himself. In 1873 he
entered the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and after several
years' attendance in that institution he taught school for two years in
Mason County, Illinois. During the year of 1875 he was a student in
Fort Wayne College, where he subsequently became an instructor in the
normal department, holding that position for two years. In 1877 he
was elected superintendent of the Ossian schools and he served in that
capacity with the utmost efficiency for a period of four years, during
which time he raised the standard of and graded the schools. In 1881,
in order to make himself more efficient as an educator, he traveled
extensively in Europe and while there made a thorough study of the
school systems of the various countries he visited. Immediately after
his return home he was elected superintendent of the Bluft'ton schools,
holding that position for ten years. One of the first things he did on
assuming office was to organize a high school, the first class of which
graduated in June, 1883. In every possible manner Professor Allen
453

454 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

raised the standard of the schools under his guidance and did much to
stimulate the pupils to greater efficiency in their school work. In May,
1891, he resigned his office as head of the Bluffton schools and was in-
stalled as editor of the Bluffton Banner. For the succeeding twelve
years the dissemination of news, the discussion of public questions and
the promotion of the general welfare through the columns of his paper
constituted life's object with him as a private citizen. Keturning to the
educational field in 1905, Professor Allen established a business college
in Bluft'ton and conducted the same with marked success for a period of
two years. In 1907 he was again prevailed upon to serve as local super-
intendent of schools and by successive re-elections he has continued to
serve in that capacity up to the present time, in 1918.

Professor Allen is a democrat in politics and in a fraternal way is
a Royal Arch Mason. His religious faith coincides with the doctrines of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he seiwed as superintendent of
Sunday school for twenty-four years.

December 25, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Professor Allen
to Miss Georgiana Swaim. She was born at Troy, Ohio, and was edu-
cated in the public schools of Ossian. Mrs. Allen, prior to her marriage,
was a teacher in Wells County and she is now an enthusiastic church
and Sunday-school worker. Two children were born to Professor and
Mrs. Allen : Forrest and Lucile. Forrest was graduated in the Bluffton
High School as a member of the class of 1903 and he is now one of the
assistant superintendents of the National Malleable Castings Company,
in Chicago. In October, 1911, he married Grace Murray, of Chicago,
and they have three children, namely : Murray Bernard, Charles Forrest
and Patricia. Lucile, born October 2, 1888, died February 6, 1891.

Hon. David Studabakee. No one would regard it as a disparagement
or criticism of other men to say that Hon. David Studabaker was one
of the gi-eatest, most commanding figures in the life and affairs of Adams
County whether as a lawyer, banker, or all around citizen. His is one
of the names that recurs most frequently in the reminiscences of the
older and later generations, and,-so far as possible the record of his life
should be set forth \rithout diminishment or abbreviation, even though
a number of years have elapsed since he quit this mortal presence.

He was born at Fort Recovery, Ohio, August 12. 1827, and died at his
home in Decatur ]\Iay 3, 1904, in his seventy-seventh year. The Studa-
bakers are of Holland ancestry, originally lived in Pennsylvania, and
the Studabakers of Adams County, of Wells County, and the famous
manufacturing family of Studebakers of South Bend all trace their
descent from a common ancestor several generations back.

The father of David Studabaker was Peter Studabaker, who had
moved from his old home at Fort Recovery to Jay County, Indiana, and
was the first settler at Portland in that county. In 1833 Peter Studa-
baker came to the Wabash River in the southern part of Root Town-
ship, and was one of the first to take up land at Geneva. He was in-
dustriously engaged in the development of his farm on the Wabash,
and while thus employed was stricken with typhoid fever and died in
1840. Peter Studabaker married Mary J. Simison. whose family also
were prominent pioneei-s of Adams County.

David Studabaker was seven years of age when his parents removed
to Adams County and he grew up in Wabash Township, trained to the
duties and occupations of a farmer and as the oldest child though only
thirteen years of age when his father died, lie assumed many of the
responsibilities and burdens of keeping the rest of the family together.
He received an education in primary schools which he attended during

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 455

the winter months, and was a pupil in the first school taught in Wells
County. It was a subscription school, the teacher an Irishman, and was
held in a primitive log cabin with a puncheon floor, the window being
made by leaving out a log from the wall and the space covered over
with greased paper. David Studabaker also attended 9, high school near
Greenville. Ohio, one term, and the Jay County Seminary at Portland
a year and a half. In the meantime he had qualified and had taught
district schools in both Adams and Wells counties. Teaching was more
or less a constant occupation with him until the spring of 1851, when
he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Jacob M. Haines at
Portland. In June. 1852. he was admitted to the bar at Portland, before
Judge Jeremiah Smith. Later in the same month he located at Decatur
and began the practice of his profession. It is said that while living
with his mother in their home on the Wabash he was greatly encouraged
in the pui-suit of his law studies by P. N. Collins, an acquaintance and
political leader, and by his lifelong friend and neighbor David McDon-
ald, who subsequently became sheriff of Adams County and served in
the State Legislature. Uncle David McDonald, as he was commonly
called, was something of a hunter, and while he and young David were
in the woods the older man would always insist that the younger make
a speech, and thus he greatly encouraged and trained his budding
forensic talents.

Mr. Studabaker practiced law at Decatur until 1883, a period of
thirty-one years. During that time he was associated a number of years
with James R. Bobo and John P. Quinn. Along with his law practice
he began dealing in real estate at a very early time. He had an im-
portant public record, beginning in 1852 with his election as prosecuting
attorney for the district of Allen and Adams counties. He filled that
office two years and in 1854 was elected to represent Adams County in
the lower house of the Legislature and was reelected in 1856. In 1858
the district of Adams. Jay and Wells counties sent him to the State
Senate and in 1868 he w-as elected .iudge of the Common Pleas Court
for the district of Adams, Allen, Huntington and Wells counties. He
resigned this office before his term expired.

He proved himself an excellent .judge, his knowledge of the law was
profound, and his administering of the ends of ju.stice was tempered
with moderation and with consideration. The attorneys who practiced
in his court found in him a man who was eminently fair and courteous
and he filled the office to which he had been chosen with dignity and to
his la.sting credit.

For many years Judge Studabaker was chiefly a figure in the com-
mercial life and the larger affairs of his section of Indiana. In 1869
he was one of the promotei-s of the Richmond & Port 'Wa\nie Railroad,
was elected one of its directors, and held that position for a long perioil
of years, in fact until his death. In 1871 he became a stockholder in
the Adams County Bank, and when it was incorporated in 1874 he was
chosen a director and vice president and in 1883 elected president.
He was also a director of the Bankers National Bank of Chicago, the
First National Bank of Marion. Indiana, the Bank of Geneva and the
Bank of Berne, and the First National of Fort Wayne and the Bank of
Wren, Ohio. In politics he was an active democrat.

On October 26, 1854. David Studabaker married Miss Harriet
Evans, whose father, John K. Evans, was a prominent figure in the
state's history and had been shortly before the marriage of his daughter
to David Studabaker associate .iudge of the District Court in which
Adam.s County was located. ]Mrs. David Studabaker died June 7. 1891.
In June, 1895. he married Mrs. Jennie Phelps, who survived him. The

456 ADAMS AND WELLS COL^XTIES

children of Judge Studahaker who reached maturity were: Mary,
wife of John Niblick of Decatur; Mrs. Lizzie Morrison of Decatur;
Ilattie; Mrs. "W. J. Vesey of Fort Wayne; and David E.

How much the career of Judge Studahaker meant to the people
of Adams Count}' was well expressed in the words of an editorial in
the Decatur Democrat, quoted herewith: "In the death of Judge
David Studahaker a worthy and honored citizen has lived his allotted
time and passed to the Great Beyond. During his long life, covering
a period of three score years and ten, we look back upon a busy, active
and useful career, in which he rose from a self educated boy to a school
teacher, then a law student, lawyer, ,iudge, banker and in later years
has been as busy and as energetic in the control and management of his
many and varied personal interests. All of these he managed and
directed to the last days of his last illness, and he died honored and
respected to the highest degree. Such a life is worthy of the ambi-
tion that is rife in the mad rush of progress, and its emulation should
be a high ideal among the youth who are striving to win laurels in the
days and years to come. Judge Studahaker 's public and private life is
an open hook, and upon its pages are written many good deeds of
charity and encouragement. Public spirited, kind and observant, his
counsel and advice will lie severely missed but thanks to the seed that
has been sown Judge Studahaker will live for many and many years
to come."

John Niblick. It would be impossible to tell the history of Adams
County or recount the business activities of the City of Decatur with
a multiplication of reference to members of the Niblick family. More
than eighty years ago they settled in the county, then a complete wilder-
ness. They did the work of pioneers, clearing up the forests, making
possible the cultivation of land, and their business enterprise took many
directions. One branch of the family, of which Mr. John Niblick is a
member, has been especially identified with merchandising and banking
at Decatur. Mr. John Niblick is president of Niblick & Company, con-
ducting perhaps the chief department store of Adams County, and it
is interesting to note that this business is a lineal and logical successor
of a stock of merchandise established in a log house in Decatur more
than seventy-five years ago.

The Niblicks from time out of miud have been Irish Presbyterians,
their original home being in County Armagh, Ireland. Several gen-
erations ago the name was spelled Niblack, and it was the grandfather
of Mr. John Niblick who changed the spelling to the present form.
The founder of the family in America was known as John Niblack, Sr.,
who was horn in County Armagh of old Irish stock. Besides farming
he was also an Irish miller. He brought his family to America about
1803.

James Niblick and his twin brother Robert were both pioiieers of
Adams Comity, Indiana. James Niblick was born in County Armagh,
Ireland, in 1801 and was brought by his parents to America at the age
of two years. From New York State they removed to Ohio, where James
Niblick's brother followed farming and James learned the cooper's
trade, and in the fall of 1834 came to Adams County, settling on
section 6 of Washington Township. He is said to have been the ninth
settler in the county. He subseiiuently sold his farm in that township
and moved to Decatur, and later removed to Missouri, where he lived
until his death in the fall of 1869.

Before coming to Indiana James and Robert Niblick lived for some
time in Tuscarawas and Harrison counties, Ohio. James married his

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 457

first wife tliere, Anna Carter, and tliey l)roug:lit witli them to Adams
County two children, Jesse and Adelaide. They arrived in this county
the same year as Decatur was laid out as a town. Robert Niblick made
settlement at the same time and in the same community. Before they
could engage in agriculture it was necessary to clear away the heavy
forests which encumbered the land, and their first homes were log
cabins. Indians were still numerous, and these pioneers had no diffi-
culty in supplying the tal>le with provisions of wild game. There were
no roads nor bridges, and the Niblick brothers cut or blazed ti'ails
through the woods in order to mark the way to their habitation. Roliert
Niblick died oij^ his old homestead in Adams County. James Niblick
married for his second wife Sarah A. Ball, who died in the fall of 1886,
having returned to Decatur after her husband died in Missouri. James
Niblick was the father of sixteen children, eight by each wife, there
being five sons and three daughters of the first marriage and one sou
and seven daughters of the second. Among the children of the first
marriage were Robert. Jesse, Mary Jane, Adelaide and William S.
William is a bachelor and still living in Chicago. Adelaide is ;\Irs.
James Dailey and lives in Wells County.

Jesse Niblick, son of James and Anna (Carter) Nil)liek, was born
in what is now Carroll County, Ohio, August 12, 1826. His mother
died on the old homestead in Adams County August 12, 1838. Jesse
Niblick was about ten years of age when the family came to Adams
County and a few j^ears later his grandfather, John Niblick, gave him
the opportunity of attending school at Cadiz. Ohio. In 1842 he re-
turned to the home farm, and he soon began an apprenticeship at the
.shoemaker's trade, and in 1846 engaged in that business for himself.
He thus became early identified with the business af¥airs of Decatur,
and continued the boot and shoe business until 1866. In that year he
sold his business to his brother-in-law and in July of that year bought
an interest in a general store with John Crawford, under the name
Niblick and Crawford. They liought the stock of merchandise estab-
lished by that pioneer of Decatur merchants, John Nutman. Later the
firm of Niblick & Crawford brought in their sons as partners and the
business title was changed to Niblick, Crawford & Sons. In February,
1887, the Crawfords withdrew and from that time on Mr. Niblick was
active head of the business until his death in October, 1895. After
that the store was conducted by his son John and the latter 's brothers
as executors, and in March. 1897, the business was incorporated under
the name of Niblick & Company. This has been developed as a large
department store, carrying a stock of staple merchandise sufficient
to supply all the demands of both city and country dwellers. Thus there
has been no interruption to a business which was established by J. D.
Nutman in a log house in Decatur in 1840. Years have brought many
increases and changes in style and quarters, tiut the house is today one
of the oldest business firms of the county.

In 1871 Jesse Niblick with J. D. Nutman engaged in a private bank-
ing business, opening the Adams County Bank, Niblick & Nutman,
bankers. Later David Studabaker and R. W. Allison became asso-
ciated with them. Joseph D. Nutman was responsible for the estali-
lishment of the first bank at Decatur in 1857. The in.stitution was
moved to Fort Wayne several years later. The permanent banking
history of the city begins with the year 1871. Mr. Nutman soon re-
tired from banking, leaving the firm Nil>lick, Studabaker & Company,
and ijn August, 1874, the Adams County Bank was organized with a
state charter. Jesse Niblick was elected a director and the first presi-
dent of this bank, and was later succeeded by R. B. Allison as presi-

458 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

dent, he taking the office of vice president. Jesse Niblick was also
identified with the organization of Eagle Manufacturing Company of
Decatur. He was also prominent in local affairs, was a stanch demo-
crat, was elected clerk of Washington Township in 1848 and until 1865
was either clerk or trustee of the towmship. sometimes holding both
offices at once. In the fall of 1865 he was elected county treasurer and
reelected in 1867. For many yeai"s from 1870 he held the office of village
trustee or councilman.

Jesse Niblick married October 16, 1851, Miss Catherine Closs, a
native of Germany and a daughter of John and Catherine Closs. Jesse
Niblick and wife were the parents of eight children. The sons to grow
up were William. John, James K., Charles and Daniel.

Mr. John Niblick has spent all his active life in the atmosphere of
the business which was established by his father. He was born in
Decatur in a home that stood on the public square January 8, 1853.
He was educated in the local schools and early became identified with
the store of his father. He has been president of Niblick & Company
since it was incorporated in 1897, and his brother Daniel is the present
secretary of the company. His niece Marj- Catherine Niblick has for
many years presided at some of the important departments of the store,
and several of the many employees have long and faithful records of
service and have contributed much to the prosperity and importance
of the establishment. It is no exaggeration to say that this is the
largest mercantile enterprise of its kind in Adams County.

While the conduct of this store has absorbed Mr. Niblick's best
abilities, he has never neglected to contribute his resources and influence
to the public welfare in every possible way. He is a director and mem-
ber of the finance committee of the old Adams Comity Bank. This
institution which was first started by the state in 1874 as above noted,
was conducted throughout the twenty years of its first charter as the
Adams County Bank. It was rechartered in 1894 and then became the
Old Adams County Bank. In 1914 it was again chartered and during
the more than forty years of its existence no depositor has ever lost
a single dollar and the resources and integrity of the institution are
unimpaired to the present time.

On May 18, 1876, Mr. John Niblick married Mary A. Studabaker.
She was born in Decatur in 1855, grew up and received her early educa-
tion there and in 1875 gi-aduated from Glendale College, at Glendale,
Ohio. The Studabaker family have been identified with Adams and
Wells counties for fully eighty years, and their relations with banking,
business, law and civic and social affaii-s give them an enviable prom-
inence in the history of this locality. Judge David Studabaker was a
cousin of the great family of Studebakers of South Bend, Indiana,
though there is a slight variation in the spelling of the name. Judge
David Studabaker in early life was a teacher, was admitted to the bar
in 1852, was in active practice of law at Decatur over thirty years, and
filled many offices, including prosecuting attorney, member of the legis-
lature anci senate and judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was
also a railroad builder and was long active in the Adams County Bank.
His death occurred in 1894.

Mr. and Mrs. John Niblick had four children: Harrie E. married
Arthur D. Suttles, now assistant cashier of the Old Adams County
Bank. "Sir. Suttles was well educated in the Decatur High School and
Normal School, and for about eight yeai-s was principal of a ward
school in Decatur and he has been connected with the Old Adams
County Bank since 1907. They have four children, Mary, Josephine,
Arthur D., Jr.. and Hefen. The second child of Mr. and Mrs. John

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 459

Niblick is Josephine, wife of 0. P. Edwards of Leipsic, Oliio. They
have one daughter, Harriet. Burton S. is now bookkeeper in the Old
Adams County Bank and married Bessie Nolan. Helen, the youngest
child, is a gi-aduate of Lake Forest College, studied at Mount Holyoke,
is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan Univei-sity at Delaware and took
domestic science work in Chicago. She has been very active in local
affaii-s at Decatur and espeeially prominent in Red Cross matters. The
Niblick family are active members of the Methodist Church. Mr.
Niblick is a clemoerat.

Ralph Studabaker Todd. It is not necessary that the man who
achieves success be made of sterner stuff than his fellow man, but there
are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosperity
of an individual ; these are energy, ambition, determination and the
ability to i-eeognize and improve success. These qualities are cardinal
elements in the character of Ralph Studabaker Todd and have accom-
panied him in his progress to a position of prominence and affluence.
Mr. Todd is one of the substantial citizens of Blutfton and is president
of the Studabaker Bank here.

Jacob Todd, grandfather of the subject of this review, was born in
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1805, and his wife, whose
maiden name was Jane Thomas, was a native of Columbiana County,
Ohio, where her birth occurred January 2, 1807. After their marriage
they located on a farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and there
resided until 1851, when they came to Wells County, Indiana, and
settled on a farm in section 19, Jefferson Township. The latter place
was their home until their respective deaths, he passing away November
3, 1861, and she died June 5, 1888. Jacob J. Todd, son of Jacob and
Jane (Thomas) Todd and father of Ralph S. Todd, was born in Beaver
County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843, and he was eight years of age
when the family home was established in Indiana. After completing
the curriculum of the public schools of Wells County he attended
Roanoke Seminary and Fort Wayne College. He taught school during
most of the time" from 1861 to 1866. In August, 1861, he enlisted in
Company A, Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry, but was rejected on
account of poor health. In April, 1864, he was accepted as a volunteer
in Company D. One Hundred and Thirtv-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and he served until October, 1864, when he was honorably
discharged. During his spare time while teaching school he studied law
and was admitted to the bar May 22, 1866. His first political office
was that of assessor of Jefferson Township, Wells County, and in June,
1872. he was appointed national alternate delegate to the National
Republican Convention at Pliiladelphia. In 1880 he was delegate to the
same convention in Chicago. He was prominent both in state and
national politics. August 12, 1876, he married Mary J. Studabaker, a
daughter of John and Rebecca (Angel) Studabaker. Mrs. Todd was
educated in the Bluffton schools and in Fort Wayne College. To this
marriage were born two children : ]Mary and Ralph S. Jacob J. Todd
was a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Mason and in that
connection he served for one year as grand master of the Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana. He died Mav 13. 1900,
and his cherished and devoted wife passed to rest February 7, 1903.

Jacob J. Todd left an indelible impression on the public I'fe in Bluff-
ton. No citizen of the community was ever more respected and no man
ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly
deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of
his community, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and

460 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

in the honors he attained and since his death they have cherished his
memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.
Honorable in business, public-spirited in civil life, charitable in thought,
kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the
highest type of Christian manhood.

Ralph S. Todd, born in Bluffton August 5, 1880, was graduated in
the local high school in June, 1897, and in the fall of that year he
entered DePauw University at Greeneastle, Indiana, in which excellent
institution he was gi-aduated as a member of the class of 1901, with the
degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He initiated his business career as a
bookkeeper in The Studabaker Bank in Bluffton, and in due time became
assistant cashier and later cashier of that substantial financial institu-
tion. In June, 1909, he was chosen president of the bank and had the
distinction of being the youngest man to hold such a position in the
State of Indiana. He is still the efficient incumbent of that position,
filling it with satisfaction to all and credit to himself. He is a director
in the Studabaker Grain & Seed Company, Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the W. B. Brown Company, director in the Bank of Petro-
leum and in the Fair View Cemetery Association and one of the trustees
of DePauw University.

While a student in De Pauw University. Mr. Todd became acquainted
with Miss Agnes Moulden, of Greenfield, Indiana, and his marriage to
her was solemnized October 15, 1902. She was born in Marion County,
Indiana, August 29, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Todd have two children:
James ]\Ioulden, born February 2. 1904 ; and Martha, born October 6,
1909. They are valued and appreciative members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which he is a member of the board of trustees.

Fraternally Mr. Todd is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of
Bluffton Commandery. Knights Templar, and of ilizpah Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is past
chancellor of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is con-
nected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a stal-
wart republican and was a delegate to the National Republican Con-
vention in Chicago in 1916. As a loyal and public-spirited citizen
Mr. Todd commands the unqualified esteem of his fellow men and he
is regarded as a substatial and influential factor in the civic and indus-
trial life of Bluffton and of Wells County.

Hon. Sil.\s W. Hale. As Mr. Hale is one of the advisory editors
for Adams County in this publication, his career is a subject of general
interest to all the readers. But aside from this, the achievements of a
long and worthy life deserve such description and record as a work of
this kind alone can afford.

Mr. Hale was born at Bluffton in Wells County, Indiana, September
18, 1844, son of Bowen and Mary Ann (Deam) Hale. His father, Bowen
Hale, was born in Kentucky in 1801, but from early youth was reared
in Greene County, Ohio. His early environment was that of a farm, but
he also learned the trade of chair maker and painter. During the
'20s he worked at these trades along the Mississippi River and ii\ a
number of the old towns in that section of the country. He finally came to
Indiana and engaged in merchandising at Fort Wayne and from there
moved to Wells County. He was one of the pioneers of Wells County,
was here at the time of organization, and became one of the promi-
nent citizens and officials of Bluffton. He was postmaster, clerk of the
Countv Court after its organization, and was alwavs keenly interested
in public affairs. He lived at Bluffton until his death in 1887. His
wife, Marv A. Deam, was a native of Ohio. Bowen Hale was a demo-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 461

crat and a member of the Masonic fraternity. His ehildren were :
John D., former clerk of the County Court of Adams County ; Silas
W. ; James P., who became a prominent lawyer at Bluffton ; Emma, who
married Andrew Van Emmon; Jane, who married Daniel Markley;
Mary; and Bowen.

Silas W. Hale is today one of the oldest surviving native sons of Bluff-
ton. He grew up there, attended some of the early schools, graduating
from high school. At the age of eighteen during 18G2-63 he taught
in a country district. In December, 1864, Jlr. Hale enlisted in the army
and was made sergeant in Company E of the 153rd Indiana Infantry.
Later he was transferred to the quartermaster's department and served
with the Army of the Tennessee during the tinal months of the great
war. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, in September, 1865.

After the war 'Sir. Hale was employed in the store of A. Deam &
Company at Bluffton as a clerk, and remained there until 1869, when
he joined his brother John D. Hale at Bluffton in the grain and produce
trade under the firm name of J. D. Hale & Brother. In 1871 they
transferred their business to Geneva in Adams County. The partner-
ship was continued until 1878. In the meantime from 1873 to 1878 Silas
Hale was also telegraph operator for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail-
way at Geneva, and during 1876-77 was also station agent for that
road.

Upon the dissolution of the partnership in 1878 Silas Hale moved
to Portland, Indiana, and engaged in the same line of business there.
In 1883 John D. Hale was elected to the office of county clerk of Adams
County. His brother then sold his business interests at Portland and
returned to Geneva to take charge of the prospei'ous establishment in
that place, and continued it with growing success and energy until he
finally retired in 1902. Mr. Hale still makes his home in Geneva.

For a long period of years Mr, Hale's name has been associated with
offices of trust and responsibility in this part of the state. One of his
earliest positions at Geneva was as member of the School Board from
1883 to 1886, and altogether he put in eighteen years on the board of
education and has exercised every influence in his power to promote the
welfare of the local schools. In 1886 he was elected to represent Adams,
Jay and Blackford counties in the senate and was a member of that
body during 1887 and 1889. During the session of 1889 he was chair-
man of the Committee on Military Affairs, and his study and careful
planning brought about the military laws under which Indiana has
conducted its state military organization since that date.

In 1891 'Sir. Hale was elected by the Legislature a member of the
Board of Trustees of the Eastern Indiana Hospital for the Insane, and
was on that board twelve years, all of the time its treasurer. He spent
much of his time in looking after the material welfare and upkeep of
the institutions under the board and was also a close student of the
many subjects connected with the administration of insane hospitals.
By virtue of his office he also was a member of the National Confer-
ence of Charities which met in various cities of the TTnited States. At
the close of his long service of twelve years as a member of the Board
of Trustees and upon his retirement the Board of Stati' (liaritics passed
a very complimentary resolution giving him credit f(ir |iaiiistakiiiii'. care-
ful and conscientious service in every relationship with the Ixiard.

After retiring from this board he was appointed one of the trustees
to establish and organize the epileptic village near Newcastle. That
great institution owes much to him for its foundation and he was a
member of its Board of Trustees four years.

Mr. Hale has found many interests to give him useful occupation

462 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

even in his later years. He has been an ofScer of the Bank of Geneva.
He has i-onnded out more than half a century of membership in the
Masonic order. He was first made a ]\Iason in Bluffton Lodge in 1867.
In 1878 he transferred his membership to Portland and was master of
Portland Lodge in 1882 for one year. On returning to Geneva he be-
came a charter member of Geneva Lodge No. 621 Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, and has been one of its most regular attendants. He
is also a member of the Lodge of Perfection and the Scottish Rite Valley
of Fort Wayne, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of Geneva. Mr. Hale was reared as a
Presbyterian, but in 1884 took his letter from that church at Portland
and placed it with the Methodist Church at Geneva.

In 1869 Mr. Hale married Miss Phebe C. McFadden, a native of Ohio
and daughter of John and Catherine (Daugherty) McFadden, who set-
tled on a farm in Wells County, Indiana, in 1852. John ilcFadden
wa.s for a period of eight years county auditor of Wells County. ]\lrs.
Hale, who died August 17, 1906, was the mother of the following chil-
dren: William, married Nellie Clawson and has three children, Helen,
Mary and W^illiam; Frank, married Daisey Mason and has one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Ed Lemike of Fort W^ayne; Stella and Winnie are deceased
Clara, married J. A. Andei-son, now deceased, has two children, Cath-
erine and Joseph ; and Fred, married Anna Schaft'er and has two chil-
dren, Cornelius and James.

J. D. French. A well known educator of Wells County is J. D.
French, for the past nine years a teacher in the Petroleum public schools,
and additionally one of the county's enterprising and successful agri-
culturists. He was born in Hartford Township, Adams County, Indiana,
November 25, 1863, and is a son of William and Sarah (Johns) French,
the latter of whom was born in 1828, in Virginia, and is still surviving
and bearing well the weight of years.

William French was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, the second
son of Joseph French, an early settler in this state. Joseph French
reared the following children : Joel, William, Jolui G., Slinerva, Sylvia,
JIary and Melissa, the eldest being an early teacher in Adams County.
William French grew to manhood on his father's farm and then mar-
ried Sarah .Johns, who was an educated woman and a school teacher in
Wells County. After marriage William French and wife took posses-
sion of the log cabin in which all their children were subsequently born,
and they lived on the Adams County farm until 1882, when Mr. French
sold that property and purchased a farm in Arkansas. He died shortly
after taking possession. His widow remained in Arkansas for one year
and then returned to Indiana and bought a farm near Linn Grove.
There were five children in the family, namely : Charlotte, who is the
wife of W^illiam Miller, of Muncie, Indiana ; Joseph, who died at the
age of thirty years; Melissa, who has been a teacher for twenty-five
years ; J. D. ; and Andrew, who resides with his mother.

J. D. French was reared in Adams County and attended the country
schools and was one of the first two graduates. This was in 1882 and he
then taught school in Adams County until 1886. when he entered Val-
paraiso University, from which he was graduated with the degrees of
B. S. and A. B., having completed the scientific course in 1890. and the
elocutionary in 1891 and the classical course in 1894. Mr. Frencli was
then elected superintendent of the Linn Grove schools and remained
there two years. Subsequently he taught at Whiting, Indiana, for four
years, and at Lisbon, Illinois, for four years, and then took a post grad-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 463

uate course in science in the Illinois Normal University. ]\Ir. French
has life certificates in both Illinois and Indiana.

In 1901 Mr. French bought his present farm in Nottingham Town-
ship, Wells County, and is paying quite a good deal of attention to
breeding high grade stock. In the meanwhile Mr. French has continued
in the educational field and, as stated above, has been identified for
almost a decade with the Petroleum schools, having taught in every
department.

Mr. French was married August 18, 1894, to Miss Sarah McEhinary,
who was born in Henderson County, Illinois. Like Professor French,
she is a B. S. graduate of Valpai'aiso University, and prior to her mar-
riage was a popular teacher in her native state. They have three chil-
dren, namely : Fleming, who is a graduate of the Petroleum High
School, later attended the Muncie Normal School and subsequently was
graduated from an automobile school in Chicago, is one of the patriotic
young men worthy of all honor, now a member of an engineer corps of
the United States on duty in France; Helen, who is a graduate of the
Petroleum High School, was a student for two years in the State Nor-
mal School and taught one term prior to her marriage to Christian Egly ;
and Winnifred, who is a student in the Petroleum High School.

]\Ir. French is a member of Linn Grove Lodge, Odd Fellows, of which
he is past noble grand, and Mrs. French belongs to the order of the
Eastern Star and to the Royal Neighbors. In his views on public ques-
tions ]Mr. French has firm convictions, and in the belief that many of
the country's ills are caused by intemperance, he has identified himself
with the prohibition party and is an active worker for the cause. The
family belongs to the Evangelical Church.

E. W. Dyar, M. D. The medical profession in Wells County, as
elsewhere, is found to include the ablest and most scholarly men in every
community, and in Dr. E. W. Dyar, the pleasant town of Ossian. In-
diana, has a physician and surgeon of this order and a man of both
personal and professional standing entitling him to high regard, he
being also president of the Farmers State Bank of Ossian.

Doctor Dyar was born in Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois,
and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Werrieh) Dyar, both of whom
are decea.sed, the father passing away in 1881 and the mother in April,
1888.

Fortified with a sound public school education, E. W. Dyar then
turned his attention to the study of medicine, subsequently entering
the Indiana Medical College, Indianapolis, from which he was grad-
uated with his medical degree in 1904. In the same year he came
to Ossian and has been in active practice here ever since, through
medical knowledge and surgical skill gaining universal confidence. He
devotes his entire time to the labors of his profession and keeps thor-
oughly abreast with the wonderful advances it is making in modem
times.

Dr. Dyar was married September 8, 1901, to Miss Ola M. Hardin,
who is a daughter of Thomas and Lyda Hardin, well known residents of
Hardinville, Illinois. Dr. and Mrs. Dyar have one son, Edwin W., a
school boy of eleven years.

Dr. Dyar gives to politics only the attention that good citizenship
demands, voting always with the republican party from principle, but is
liberal minded on many public questions. He is a member of AVells
County, Indiana State and American Jledical societies. In Masonry,
he is a member of Ossian Lodge No. 297, F. & A. "SI., having received
the Scottish rite in Fort Wayne Consistory, and is also a member of

464 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Ossian Lodge No. 343, K. of P. Dr. and Mrs. Dyar are members of the
Presbyterian Church.

Calvin D. Kunkel, one of the advisory editors of this publication, is
a member of a family with perhaps as old and substantial relations and
associations with Adams and "Wells counties as any other name. The
Kunkels have been here for seventy years, and the earlier generations
did some of the heavy work of clearing and developing the land and
laying the foundation for the present civilization.

He is a son of the late Samuel D. Kunkel, one of the most widely
known men of Adams County. He lived to remarkable age and spent
nearly seventy years in this part of Indiana. Samuel D. Kunkel was
born in York County, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1820, a son of Michael
and Catherine (Sentz) Kunkel. His parents were also natives of Penn-
sylvania and of German ancestry. When Samuel D. was five years of
age the family moved to Richland County, Ohio, where IMiehael Kunkel
applied himself to the task of developing a tract of unimproved laud.
He lived there until his death in about 1850. He was then past seventy
years of age. His widow afterward followed some of her children to
Indiana and died in W^ells County when quite old. Both she and her
husband were active members of the Lutheran Church. Their nine
children were : Eliza, Mary, Matilda, Diana, Lydia, Rebecca, Nancy,
Michael and Samuel D. All of these children are now deceased, except
Mrs. Rebecca Wasson, of Wells County.

Samuel D. Kunkel had only the advantages of the subscription schools
of Ohio during his youth. He lived at home on the farm, and at the
age of twenty-six, in 1846, came to Indiana, driving a wagon. He bought
eighty acres of land in Root Township of Adams County. This was
then a part of the primeval wilderness. Here he built a log cabin, made
it his home for about sixteen years, and developed a good farm on the
Pickaway Road, two miles north of the old settlement of Monmouth. He
subsequently traded for another place of 160 acres in Root Township,
land which had originally been owned by his wife's father. There he
continued the work of improvement and cultivation, and in those scenes
which witnessed his productive labors he spent his declining years and
died May 1, 1915. Had he lived to August of the same year he would
have celebrated his ninety-fifth birthday anniversary.

One of the principal reasons which attracted Samuel D. Kunkel to
the wilds of Adams County was the presence here of Miss Martha Dor-
win, who had come to Indiana with her parents in the preceding year.
On June 9, 1846, they were united in marriage. Mrs. Samuel Kunkel
was a sister of Thomas T. Dorwin, long prominent as a physician and
druggist at Decatur. She was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 24. 1824, and
came to this county with her parents, Calvin T. and Fanny (Bell) Dor-
win. Her parents" were natives of New York State. They were married
in Ohio, where Calvin Dorwin followed the business of teaching and
surveying. He also held the office of justice of the peace. On coming to
Adams County he acquired 160 acres of land in Root Township in section
21. This land subsequently became the property of Samuel D. Kunkel
and is now owned by Mr. C'alvin D. Kunkel. Its improvement and culti-
vation thus represent the labors and enterprise of three generations.
]\Ir. Calvin D. Kunkel now has it nearly all in cultivation except twenty
acres of native timber, and some of the building improvements go back
to the time of his grandfather Dorwin. Late in life Mr. and Mrs. Dor-
win retired to Decatur, but finally returned to the old homestead and
lived with ~Slv. and Mrs. Samuel Kunkel until they died about 1874.
They were splendid old people of the county, and Calvin Dorwin fol-

f

Oaf/l^/»-i^ ^M^i^^^

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 465

lowed the fortunes of the whig and republican parties. Of their large
family of children Mrs. Samuel Kunkel was the oldest and was the last
to pass away. She died February 6, 1902, at the age of seventy-seven.
Samuel Kunkel and wife had six children, Willie, Fanny, Dora, EflBe,
Florence L. and Calvin. Samuel Kunkel was for many years an active
member of the English Lutheran Church and in politics a republican.
For eight years he filled the office of assessor of Root Township and
always showed an intelligent and public spirited interest in the affairs of
the county and the people as they had developed year by year from the
pioneer stage.

Mr. Calvin D. Kunkel was born in Adams County March 19, 1863. He
has spent practically all his life on the land which his grandiiather Dor-
win first settled and which for many years was owned by his father,
Samuel Kunkel, who finally sold it to Calvin. This is one of the most
productive farms in Root Township, and Mr. Calvin Kunkel has dis-
tinguished himself as a thrifty and progressive business farmer. His
place is located on the St. Mary's River three miles from Decatur and
adjoining the site of the old and almost forgotten Village of Monmouth.
Mr. Kunkel acquired a good education, partly in the local public schools
and partly in a normal school at Lebanon, Ohio. For a time he taught
school in Washington Township and for five years was connected with
the Decatur city schools. Altogether he put in about eighteen years in
the school room, and since then has applied himself with results and
accomplishments to the business of farming and stock-raising.

On April 17, 1883, Mr. Kunkel married Miss Sarah Ann Pillars. She
was born in Root Township December 10, 1862, and was reared and
educated here. Her parents were Sampson and Mary J. (Auten) Pil-
lars, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They mar-
ried iu Root Township of Adams County and for many years the father
followed farming and still lives on his old homestead, being now seventy-
seven years of age. Mrs. Kunkel 's mother died in 1917.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel, Sherman P.
and Florence L. Sherman was born in 1886, was educated in the public
schools and the Decatur High School, also in the Fort Wayne Business
College, and in recent years has been associated with his father iu the
management of the farm. He married Fannie McConnell, who was born,
reared and educated in Adams County. They have two children, Mary
J. and David McC. The daughter Florence is the wife of Dale Moses,
of Adams County, and they live on the old Pillars farm in Root Town-
ship. They have a young son, James Calvin, now three years of age, and
an infant son, Richard Kunkel. All the family are members of the Eng-
lish Lutheran Church. Mr. Kunkel has given strict allegiance to the
republican party and has found many opportunities to advance the wel-
fare of his native locality. Farming is a strenuous occupation in modern
times, but Mr. Kunkel has shown such efficiency and good management
in ordering his business that he has had time to furnish support and
encouragement to various matters that are of direct concern to the wel-
fare of the community.

Hon. David E. Smith has received a place of distinction in Adams
County by his long work as a lawyer, and at present by the capable dis-
charge of his duties as .judge of the Circuit Court, He was elected to
this office in November, 1912, and entered aipon his duties November 13,
1913. The term of Circuit Judges in Indiana is for six years, so that
his present term does not expire until 1919.

Judge Smith was admitted to the Indiana bar in January, 1892. He
studied law in the State University of Indiana, and he also had student

466 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

associations with two of Indiana's most distinguished lawyers, the late
Van Voorhees and Judge Spencer of Indianapolis. Judge Spencer is
still in active pi-actice at Indianapolis.

During the twenty-five years since he was admitted to the bar at
Decatur Judge Smith has devoted himself untiringly to a large and
valuable practice, and from 1896 to 1900 served as prosecuting attorney.
In that office he gained much credit for his efficiency as a prosecutor, and
laid the foundation of a reputation which preceded his elevation to the
bench.

Judge Smith was born in Mercer County, Ohio, in 1867 and was still
an infant when his parents came to Adams County, Indiana. He is of
English and Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Robert Smith, was
born in England and married there Miss Maria Drake. Three children
were born to them in the old country, Anna, John E. and Mary. One of
these daughters is still living in Shelby County, Ohio, at the age of four-
score, the only survivor of those members of the family that crossed the
ocean to America. The little family set out on a sailing vessel for the
United States, and after many weeks of voyage landed in the United
States and came on to Columbiana County, Ohio. Later they settled in
Shelby County near Sidney on a farm, where Robert Smith spent his
last years. After the death of his first wife he married Mrs. ilary Wiley,
whose maiden name was Crosier. She was of Scotch-Irish lineage and
of United Presbyterian stock. Robert Smith became a member of that
church faith after his marriage. He was a democrat and so far all his
descendants have followed his example politically.

James H. Smith, father of Judge Smith, was born in Columbiana
County, Ohio, October 5, 1844, and was the only child of his parents
born in this country. It is said that when he was born he was so small
he could be put in a quart cup, and yet he grew to strong, vigorous
manhood and when the Civil War broke out he was heartilj' accepted as
a volunteer in Company K of the 20th Ohio Infantry. He served four
years, was woi;nded in battle, was with Sherman on the march to the sea
and in one engagement was captured and spent some time in Libby
Prison before being exchanged. He rejoined his regiment and continued
fighting until the end of hostilities. At the close of the war he went
back to Shelby County, Ohio, and there he married Hettie Smith. She
was born in County Down, Ireland, December 25, 1847, and was of a
family of Ulster people and of the Presbyterian faith. She was quite
young when she came to America in an old fashioned sailing vessel, her
parents locating at Pittsburg,' Pennsylvania. Her father died there
and her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Crozer, afterwards
moved to Ohio. Sarah Crozer was of French Huguenot stock, descended
from people who had fled from France on account of religious perse-
cution and found homes in northern Ireland. Sarah Crozer spent her
last years with her daughter, Mrs. James H. Smith in Adams County.
Indiana, and died there at the age of seventy-sLx. Many of the old time
residents recall this kindly and intelligent old lady, who was always
devout in her membership in the Presbyterian Church.

James H. Smith and wife were married October 4. 1866. After their
marriage they came to live in Shelby County, where he operated a saw-
mill. They then moved to Mercer County, Ohio, where their first son.
Judge Smith, was born at Montezuma. In 1868 the family came to
Decatur, Indiana, where James H. Smith was employed at the old Shack-
ley Wheel Works until that business went bankrupt. He then removed
to the southern part of Adams County and worked in a sawmill near
Geneva, but in 1886 returned to Decatur. He died at Decatur October
2, 1910. His wife passed awav on the 27th of December of the same

ADaMS and wells counties 467

year. James H. Smith served as justice of the peace iu Adams Couuty
for about twenty years. He is a man whose name deserves to be spoken
with honor and respect by every resident of Adams County. He ex-
pressed the best of his life and character by his sin^lar devotion to his
invalid wife who was bedridden for thirty years before her death. All
the accumulations of his producing years he used to help his life com-
panion, and with all the anxieties and burdens he never showed a face
of worry nor complaint and was self sacrificing and devout to the very
end. He and his wife were lifelong members of the Presbyterian
Church.

Judge Smith had one brother, Robert, who died in infancy, and has
one sister, Eva, who is the present wife of D. Hoagland, a house painter
living at Boulder, Colorado. Eva has a son, David Edward Orcutt, by
her fii-st marriage.

Judge Smith married iMiss Ethel Hale, who was born in Wells
County, Indiana, but was reared and educated at Decatur. She com-
pleted her education at the Terre Haute State Normal School and for
several years was a very successful teacher at Decatur. Her father, John
D. Hale, was a former county clerk of Adams County and she is a niece
of Silas Hale, one of the associate editors of this publication. Judge
and Mrs. Smith have six living children, while one son, James H., died
in infancy. The family record is: Bayard H., now in the junior class
of Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana ; Ramona June, aged
seventeen, a senior in the Decatur High School; Dorothy M., aged fifteen,
also in high school; Gretchen, who is in the last year of the grammar
school ; Richard A., aged ten years, and a student in the sixth grade ; and
Robert E., the youngest, who was born in 1914. Judge and Mrs. Smith
are Methodists. He is a Knight of Pythias, is a Lodge and Chapter
Mason at Decatur and a member of the Council and Knight Templar Com-
mandery at Blutt'ton and the Mystic Shrine and Consistory of Scottish
Rite at Fort Wayne. He is past master of his lodge, serving for twelve
years, and is high priest of his chapter and a thirty-third degree mason
having received that degree in 1913, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the state. Judge
Smith is a democrat, and has been delegate to various county, congres-
sional and state conventions of his party.

William A. Kunkel. A great man has somewhere been described as
one who is so short-sighted that he cannot see the obstacles which lie
between him and his goal. Whether this be true of William A. Kunkel or
not, certain it is that he has conquered all obstacles that impeded his
path to success and he now ranks as one of the leading business men in
Wells County, Indiana. As head of a number of important business
concerns Mr. Kunkel has met with such marvelous good fortune that it
would truly seem that he possesses the "open sesame" to unlock the
doors of success. ' But success in business is not his only distinction. He
is one of those broad-minded, patriotic, forward looking men who in
every community of the nation are the real conservators of those com-
munity destinies which in the aggregate constitute the national destiny
and the policies by which America is exercising its influence and power
in the world at large. ]\Ir. Kunkel at the present time is Federal Food
Administrator for Wells County. He has given up all his business and
is devoting his entire time to this important position, sacrificing all
those things of individual interest in order that he might do his whole
duty to help make the world safe for democracy.

Like many another hig American business man William A. Kunkel
was born on a farm. He first saw the light of day Januarj- 31. 1868, in

468 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Lancaster Township of Wells County. He is a son of I\Iicliael and
Mary (Kleinkneeht) Kunkel, both natives of Pennsylvania. Michael
Kiuikel when a young man moved to Ohio, lived on a farm in Crawford
County until 1848, and then bought a farm of eighty acres in Adams
County, Indiana. A few years later he sold this and acciuired a tract of
a hundred and twenty acres in section 12, Lancaster Township, Wells
County. He was busied with its improvements and made it his home
until 1884, when he moved to the city of Bluffton. He died there, an
honored and widely esteemed citizen. May 7, 1886. ]\Iiehael Kunkel
married for his first wife Julia Mason, a native of Ohio. She was the
mother of four children, Sophia, who died February 15, 1879: Loiiisa,
who died September 20, 1854, and Samuel and Calvin, both living in
Lancaster Township, Calvin on the old home farm. For his second
wife ]\Iiehael Kunkel married Mary Ann Kleinkneeht. She was born
December 3, 1827, daughter of John M. and Anna (Gerhart) Klein-
kneeht, who located in Lancaster Township of Wells County in 1848.
;\Ir. Kleinkneeht died at the home of ilichael Kunkel in 1867, and his
wife passed away on the old homestead in Lancaster Township in 1859.
Both were devout members of the United Brethren Church. The first
class of that denomination in Lancaster Township was founded by John
]\r. Kleinkneeht, and this eventually resulted in a church organization
at Tocsin. Mrs. Mary Ann Kunkel, who was for many years a devout
member of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church, died on February 27, 1913.
She was the mother of the following children : Martha Ann, deceased :
John 0.; Lydia Matilda, wife of T. M. Souder; Rebecca J., widow of
Henry ilasterson : Dora and Theodore H., deceased, and William A.

William A. Kunkel grew up inured to the sturdy discipline of the
homestead farm in Lancaster Township, and derived his early educa-
tional advantages from district school No. 1. That he was a real country
boy is evidenced by the fact that he was never in towaa when street
lamps were lighted until after he was sixteen years of age. He finished
his education in the Bluffton High School, graduating with the class of
1886. He essayed to become a merchant, making a start in Ashbauchers
Brothers Clothing Store at Bluffton at three dollars a week. He soon
saw that he was not in a congenial line of emplo.yment. Leaving the
store he taught a country school two terms, and later found employ-
ment in the office of the resident engineer of the Clover Leaf Railway.
Of all his early experiences this was the most important. It gave him
a considerable practical knowledge of engineering, and finally he was
appointed assistant to the resident engineer. In 1889 he was made
deputy surveyor of Wells County and in the following year at the age
of twenty-one was elected county surveyor on the democratic ticket.
He was re-elected in 1892. A special feature of his administration of
the ofSce of county surveyor was a general concerted movement to
imjirove the public highways of Wells County, and much of the success
of this movement was due to ^Ir. Kunkel's careful and technical skill
in handling the proposition in its various details.

Mr. Kunkel credits much of his material success to his extensive
operations in the oil field. He first became interested in that industry
in 1890, but was unable to give it much attention owing to his duties as
county surveyor, until 1894. In 1896 he became associated with the
Cudaiiy Oil Company, in charge of the right of way and pipe line
department. In May, 1898, he took full charge of the field production
and pipe lines of the company and retained that position for one year
after the Cudahy interests were purchased by the Standard Oil Com-
pany. Since 1900 Mr. Kunkel has been an independent producer in
various oil fields in Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 469

However, his business interests could not all be described under a
single head. He is o\vner of over six hundred acres, constituting several
well drained and well improved farms in Wells County, all thoroughly
drained by many miles of ditch, improved with the best of farm facil-
ities, including hog pens, silos, electric lights and every other equipment
devised by modern agricultural science. ^Ir. Kunkel is on the board of
directors of the Studabaker Bank, the Marion and Blufifton Traction
Company, the Bliss Hotel Company, the W. B. Browu Company and
other concerns. He is, as these connections and achievements indicate, a
man of sound judgment, liberal ideas and progressive methods. Exact-
ness and thoroughness have characterized his life efforts, and what he
is and what he has done illustrates what may be accomplished by per-
sistent and painstaking effort.

Politically Mr. Kunkel is a firm believer in the principles of the
democratic party. He has served as chairman of the Democratic
County Central Committee, is at present chairman of the Eighth Con-
gressional District and vice chairman of the State Democratic Com-
mittee, and in 1916 was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
at St. Louis. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar and thirty-second
degree Scottish Rite ilason, a member of the ]\Iystic Shrine, and is affil-
iated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, Bluffton Lodge
No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He and his family are earnest and active members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and all of them are leaders in the social affairs of
their home community. June 24, 1891, Mr. Kunkel married Miss
]\Iinnie A. Morgan of Kelso, Huntington County, Indiana, daughter of
John V. and Mary A. (Ranch) ]\Iorgan. ^Irs. Kunkel was educated in
the Bluffton schools and she and Mr. Kunkel were members of the same
graduating class of the high school. She was a popular and successful
teacher both in the Bluffton and the Huntington city schools before her
marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel take proper pride in the developing
characters and the early achievements of their three children. The
oldest, William A., Jr., graduated from the Bluffton High School with
the class of 1911, from the Indiana State University with the degree
A. B. in 1916, and spent the following year in Harvard University. He
married Miss Lois Steen Nicholson of Wheatland, Knox County, Indiana. ^^. HIS
Their romance began while they were students at the Indiana State
University; they now live at Bluffton. Kenneth, the second son, is a
graduate of the Bluffton High School with the class of 191 3 and from
the State University with the class of 1917, and is now at home doing
his bit for the country and the world as responsible manager of an
agricultural enterprise of several hundred acres. ]\Iarjorie. the only
daughter, graduated from the Bluffton High School in 1916 and is now
a senior in LaSell Seminary at Anburndale, Massachusetts.

Charles S. Niblick. The name Niblick is practically synonymous
with banking at Decatur, and the family have been identified with the
oldest bank in the county, the Old Adams County Bank, practically
from its beginning. Charles S. Niblick is a son of one of the founders
of this institution and is now the bank's president.

The history of the institution goes back to July, 1871, when Joseph
D. Nutman and Jesse Niblick established a private bank under the firm
name of Niblick & Nutman. They were subsequently associated with
Robert Allison and David Studabaker, under the name Niblick, Nutman
& Company. ]Mr. Nutman soon retired and the name was changed to
Niblick, Studabaker & Company.

The Adams County Bank was organized in 1874 with a state charter,

470 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

and a capital stock of $50,000. The capital was increased in 1882 to
$75,000. The first president of the bank was Jesse Niblick and the
tlrst vice president, David Studabaker. In 1887 the officers of the bank
were David Studabaker, president; Jesse Niblick, vice president; Wil-
liam 11. Niblick, cashier; and Edward Ehinger, assistant cashier. The
bank home has been a landmark in the Decatur business district and
was erected by Mr. Jesse Niblick in 1876, a substantial brick structure at
the northwest corner of Second and Monroe streets.

The first charter expired in 1894, and it was renewed, but at that
time the bank took the title of The Old Adams County Bank and in
1914 it was rechartered under this name. It is now operating under
the third successive charter and it is a significant tribute to the per-
sonnel of the men who have presided as officers and directors that not
a single dollar of the depositors' money has ever been lost through mis-
management or any neglect. At the present time the capital is $120,000,
with surplus of $10,000. It is doubtful if any city of the size in Indiana
has a stronger and better conducted institution.' Its total resources in
1917 aggregated over $1,200,000, and over $1,000,000 are on deposit.

The first cashier was R. B. Allison. Jesse Niblick remained as an
active officer until his death, and William H. Niblick wa-s president of
the institutiou at the time of his death in November, 1896. He was
succeeded by R. B. Allison. Charles S. Niblick became an assistant
cashier early in the history of the institution, was made cashier in 1896,
and on January 1, 1907, succeeded Mr. Allison as president. Mr. Edward
X. Ehinger has been cashier since January, 1907, and A. D. Suttles has
filled the post of assistant cashier for the past ten years. In addition
to the splendid management afforded the bank's affairs, the banking
house has also been equipped with every modern facility to protect its
funds from fire or burglar.

Mr. Charles S. Niblick was born in the city of Deeatur, and grew
up there, attending the common and high schools. While still in high
school at the age of fourteen he became a bookkeeper in the bank, and
has filled every position in the institution with the exception of vice
president.

ilr. Niblick is a son of Jesse and Catherine (Closs) Niblick. The
Niblick family originated in County Armagh, Ireland, and were Irish.
As far back as the record goes they have been industrious, public-spirited
citizens, well educated, and letters still preserved of the great-grand-
father to his sons, James and Robert, show that this ancestor was a
man of more than ordinary learning and of .judgment. It has been
characteristic of the family to get out and work for anything that would
help the communit.y, and this trait is as prominent today as it was in
earlier times.

The late Jesse Niblick, father of Charles S., was born in what is now
Carroll County, Ohio. August 12, 1826, son of James and Anna (Carter)
Niblick. James Niblick and his brother Robert were among the earliest
pioneers of Adams County. James was born in Ireland, January 19,
1803, and was brought to America by his parents, growing up in New
York and in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He was a cooper by trade, and
followed that occupation in Adams County until November, 1836. He
settled on a farm in Washington Township several miles from Deeatur.
In 1869 he moved to Missouri and died a few weeks later at the age of
sixty-nine. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and filled
several minor offices as a gift of the democratic party. His first wife,
Anna Carter, was born in Maryland, and died at the family home near
Decatur August 12. 1838. She was a member of the ^lethodist Episcopal
Church. She had eight children, one of whom was the late Jesse Niblick.

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 471

Jesse Niblick was ten years of age when brought to Adams County,
and he grew up to manhood here, with the exception of one year spent
attending school in Ohio. As a boy he learned the shoemaker's trade,
and in 1846 engaged in tliat line of business for himself. In 1866 he
entered general merchandising with John Crawford, under the name
Niblick & Crawford, and that business is still continued under the name
Niblick & Company at Decatur. He was prominent in many matters
that advanced the commercial and civic welfare of Decatur. In 1848 he
was elected clerk of Washington Township, and from that year until
1865 was either clerk or trustee, sometimes holding both offices. In the
fall of 1865 he was elected treasurer of Adams County and reelected in
1867. For a number of years he was also a trustee or councilman of
Decatur. October 16, 1851, he married Miss Catherine Closs, who was
born in Germany and was brought to America by her parents, John
and Catherine Closs, at an early age. Jesse Niblick and wife had eight
children, seven of whom grew up. Their names were: William, John,
James K., Mary, Amelia, Charles S. and Daniel. The mother of these
children was a member of the Catholic Church and reared her family
in the same faith.

On January 8, 1889, Charles S. Niblick mai-ried Miss Minnie Wal-
dron. She was reared and educated in Niagara Falls, and was the child
of Catholic parents. Mrs. Niblick is a woman of many splendid qualities
of heart and mind and a leader in all local affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Niblick
have four children : Naomi, born and educated in Decatur, attended
school at Fort Wajme, and is now the wife of Perry A. Gandy, a banker
and real estate man at Cherubusco, Indiana. James Stewart Niblick
was educated in the public schools and in the Chicago College of
Physicians and Surgeons, where he graduated M. D. in May, 1917, and
is now finishing his preparation as an interne in a Chicago hospital. In
June, 1917, he married Miss Elizabeth McLuckie of Chicago. The two
youngest children of Mr. and Mrs. Niblick are Charlotta Z., aged four-
teen, and Margaret, aged twelve, both attending the parochial schools.
All the family are members of the Catholic Church, in which Mr. Niblick
is church secretary. He is also treasurer of the Knights of Columbus
of Decatur and is treasurer of the Local Lodge of Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks, being a charter member of both these organiza-
tions. Politically he is affiliated with the democratic party.

Edward Green. Adams County has learned the value and appre-
ciates the services of Edward Green through the splendid work he has
done in the office of sheriff. He was elected on the democratic ticket to
that office in the fall of 1914, beginning his duties on January 1, 1915.
In the fall of 1916 the people of the county felt that his work deserved
another term and re-elected him. ilr. Green has long been active in
county and state politics and for the past ten years has served as a
member of the County Central Committee.

His home has been at Decatur since 1893. Among other interests he
was chief of police three years and for three years was deputy sheriff.
For four years Jlr. Green served as a conductor and motorman on the
Fort Wayne and Decatur Interurban Electric Railway. Everything
that he has turned to have shown him a man of energv' and of capacity,
and he possesses unusual qualifications for his present work.

Mr. Gre«i was born north of Bucyrus in Crawford County, Ohio.
November 2, 1866. When he was eight years old his parents moved to
Mercer County, Ohio, but in 1885 came to Adams County, Indiana,
locating on a farm in St. Clary's Township. It was on that farm that
Edward Green grew to manhood and for the past thirty j-ears has had
indeed a busy and responsible career.

472 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

His parents were John and Mary (Hildebrand) Green, both natives
of Crawford County, Ohio, and of German ancestry. The Hildebrands
and Greens w-ere pioneers of Northwestern Ohio, and helped to redeem
portions of the wilderness of that country to the uses of civilization.
The paternal grandparents were P'rederick and Regina Green, natives
of Wurtemberg, Germany. Christopher and Margaret Hildebrand were
natives of the same kingdom. These two families came to the United
States about the same time, locating in Liberty Township of Crawford
County. The grandparents spent the rest of their lives in that section.
All were members of the Lutheran Church and politically the families
were democrats. Sheritf Green's mother died when he was six years of
age. He has one sister, ^Irs. Amanda Teeple of Vicksburg, Michigan.
The father married a second wife, Lucida Gay. By this union there were
two children, Ida and Burt. The former lives with her father in Decatur
and Burt is clerk in a large department store at Toledo, Ohio. Sheriff
Green's father has lived retired for a number of years in Decatur and
is now seventy-five years old, his wife being seventy-two.

In 1887 Mr. Edward Green married at ilonroeville, Allen County,
iMiss Amanda Heath, who was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1863.
She lost her parents when she was very young and grew up with rela-
tives and made her own way in the world from the age of twelve. Her
father was named Benjamin Heath. Mr. and ^Mrs. Green have four chil-
dren, Lawrence, Otto, Edith and Rose. Lawrence now thirty years of
age is employed with a produce company at Decatur and by his mar-
riage to Florence Haag has a son Stanley. Otto, aged twenty-eight, was
educated in the local public schools and is still a resident of Decatur.
He married Silva Dropleman and has two daughters, ilary E. and
Martha J. Edith, aged twenty-six, is the wife of Bernard Voglewede
of Decatur and they have two children, Edward and Joseph H. Rose
is a graduate of the high school and is now the wife of Paul Burgess, a
resident of Rockford, Ohio. They have one son, Arthur W.

The Green family are members of the Evangelical Church. Frater-
nally Mr. Green is afifiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, and the Loyal Order of Moose. Since the beginning of the
present war ilr. Green has been called upon to perform one of the offices
of greatest responsibility in the county, as chairman of the local county
conscription board.

Hon. John Wilson Tvndall, editor-in-chief for Adams County of
this publication, has been a man of varied interests and affairs in the
county for over thirty years.

His chief business at present is with the Kriek, Tyndall & Company,
manufacturers of drain tile at Decatur. This company was incorporated
in LS98. Their plant has an immense output, aggregating in value over
$100,000 a year, and the product is shipped all through Northeastern
Indiana, Northwestern Ohio and to Michigan. They have facilities for
making all kinds of tile anywhere from three inches to twenty-seven
inches in diameter. It is one of the leading industries of Decatur and
the raw material is obtained from a splendid supply of clay in this im-
mediate vicinity. From forty-five to fifty persons are given employment
in the business.

The manufacture of clay tiles was begun here in 1892 by Henry
Krick. Mr. Tyndall has been identified with the business since 1896.
At that time he had just completed his last term as city engineer of
Decatur. His part in the business has been chiefly as sales manager, the
office he still holds.

;\Ir. Tyndall has spent all his life in Adams County and was born in

.JOHN W. TYNDA

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 473

Blue Creek Township, October 30, 1861. He grew up and received his
early advantages in the schools of Blue Creek, and afterwards attended
Valparaiso College, where he took work in the commercial, scientitic and
classical departments and was graduated in 1885. He paid all his own
expenses at college by teaching. He taught his first term at the age
of seventeen and for the four years before he, reached his majority
paid his father $100 annually for his time.

While attending school Mr. Tyndall also took up the study of civil
engineering and surveying and in 1886 was nominated and elected to
the office of county surveyor. He filled that office continuously for four
terms, eight years, and at the same time was city engineer of Decatur
and held that office altogether ten years. He was city engineer by ap-
pointment two years and by election for two four-year terms. It was
while Mr. Tyndall was city engineer that the city waterworks were in-
stalled and the first brick paving laid on the streets.

In the fall of 1904 he was elected on the democratic ticket for the
State Senate. That year he was one of the two senators of Indiana
chosen from the democratic party. The other senator was from the
southern part of the state. Mr. T^-ndall represented his constituency in
Northeastern Indiana with credit and efficiency throughout the two ses-
sions. He has always been active in local polities, and has served as
chairman of the Democratic County Committee and in other capacities.
The Tyndall family is of Irish and Welsh ancestry, and was founded
in this country by three brothers who came from England, two of them
before the Revolutionary war. The one from whom Mr. Tyndall is
descended located at Philadelphia soon after the war for independence.
The grandfather, Ortalie Tyndall, with two brothers, William and Henry,
came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and located in Crawford County.
There the boys grew up and William and Henry later moved to Van
Wert County, Ohio. Ortalie came in early times to DeKalb County,
Indiana. He married a Miss Chilcote. They spent the rest of their
lives on their pioneer homestead and that land is still owned by the
family, being occupied by a grandson of Ortalie named William Tyndall.
Ortalie and wife lived to be about eight years of age. They were
active members of the English Lutheran Church and he was a whig in
politics.

John C. Tyndall, father of Senator Tyndall, was born in Crawford
County, Ohio, in 1827, but grew up in DeKalb County, Indiana, and
he married in Van Wert County, Ohio, Miss Rachel Wagers, a native
of that county and a daughter of John and Anna (Jolmson) Wagers,
who were pioneers of Van Wert County, moving there from Harrison
County, Ohio. The old Wagers' farm in Van Wert County is still owned
by a descendant, Joshua Wagers. John C. Tyndall after his marriage
walked with his young bride through the woods, a distance of ten miles,
to their new home in Blue Creek Township of Adams County. Mrs.
John C. Tyndall died at this home when John W. Tyndall was five years
of age. In 1861 John C. Tyndall had gone into the Union army as a
member of Company H of the Forty-seventh Infantry, and served nearly
two years until discharged for disability. He never recovered his former
health and his death on July 2, 1885, was the direct result of illness
contracted in the army. He was a prominent democrat, served several
times as assessor and for twelve years was justice of the peace. He
married for his second wife Athe Ann Campbell, who was of Scotch
ancestry. Later they sold the old farm and bought another nearby and
it was at this home that John C. Tyndall died. His widow afterwards
married John Beatty and moved to Oklahoma, where she died when well
advanced in years. John C. Tyndall had children by both wives.

474 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Joliu Wilson Tyndall married at Decatur Miss ]\Iary Heller, who was
born in that city in 1870, a daughter of the late Judge Daniel Heller
and a sister of Mr. John H. Heller, president of the Decatur Democrat
Company. Mrs. Tyndall was the youngest graduate of the Decatur High
School, and at the age of sixteen began teaching, a woi-k she continued
for several years until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Tyndall have two
sons. Daniel Heller Tyndall, born in 1893, is a graduate of the city
high school, spent one year in the State University of Ohio and one year
in the Indiana State University, and is now associated in business with
his father. He married Catherine Egley of Berne, Adams County. The
second son, Ralph, was born in June, 1901, and is still carrying on his
studies in the high school.

Samuel McCleery. For over sixty-five years the name .McCleery
has been identified with Wells County, where its associations are most
honorable and where it is spoken with the respect due to success in
business, public service and duty well performed.

The present Mr. Samuel McCleerj' is now a retired merchant and
carpenter, and is a native of Bluffton, having been born on Wabash
Street ilay 8, 1852. Many of his most active years were spent away
from Bluifton, but he has always regarded it as his permanent home.
His parents were Samuel and ]\Iary (Forbes) JMcCleery. His father
was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and his birthplace was a stone
house known as Iva House. At the age of nineteen he came to the
United States, first locating in Philadelphia, where he married a Miss
Daugherty, who died in that city. Not long afterwards he came to
Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio, and there married ]Mary Forbes.
They were the parents of five children. The daughter Elizabeth was
born in Wooster, Ohio, and is the widow of Lafayette Shinn, living at
Montpelier, Indiana. The second child, William A. McCleery, was born
at Edinburg, Ohio, and is now deceased. In 1849 the I\IcCleery family
came to Bluffton, and the first child born here was Charles ]\IcCleery in
1850, whose death occurred in 1916. Samuel McCleery, Sr.. died at
Bluffton in 1893. His second wife passed away in August, 1863.

Samuel McClee^s^ Sr., on coming to Bluffton was employed by the
firm of Studabaker & Winters, and then started a shop of his own as
a boot and shoe maker. He built up quite a business and had .several
men woi'king under liim. In 1856 he moved to the old town of ilurray
in Wells County, and lived in a log house there. He also conducted a
tavern at Murray and built a shoe store there in 1859. In 1860. return-
ing to Bluffton, he resumed his trade as shoemaker and in 186] he
erected the store I'oom now occupied by W. H. Jlerriraan on North ^lain
Street, at the corner of Wabash Street. At one time he served as town
marshal of Bluffton.

Samuel McCleery, Jr., grew up at Bluffton and remained at home
until he was twenty-two years of age. In the meantime he had benefited
by the instruction of the public schools. Concerning his early education
it is interesting to recall the fact that he attended a school in the house
where he now lives and which then stood at the northwest corner of West
Market and Johnson streets. He was also a student in the first high school
established at Bluffton.

ilr. McCleery learned the shoemakers' trade and followed it for
eight years, but then took up work as a carpenter. He wa-s employed
in the' bridge department of the Clover Leaf Railway in 1879, 1880 and
1881 and was then engaged in building bridges with the Grand Rapids
and Indiana Railway for a year. In 1882 he went witli the Wabash
Railroad, and on May 26, 1886, he joined the Santa Fe Railway Com-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 475

pany at Wichita, Kansas, and was in the bridge building department of
that western railroad until 1900. From 1900 to 1903 he was connected
with the Fort Worth and Denver City Railway Company and was super-
intendent of bridges and building over the entire road, a distance
of over 500 miles. In October, 1903, ]Mr. :\IcCleery returned to Bluif-
ton and for several years concerned himself chiefly with looking after
and repairing his property. In January, 1910, he engaged in the grocery
business, but soon sold out and is now retired. Jlr. McCleery has never
married. He owns sixty acres of land at the old town of .^iurray, and
has several properties in Bluffton, including a business room at the
corner of ^lain and Wabash streets.

He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church, is affiliated with
Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons, and also with the
Royal Arch Chapter and Council and is a past sachem of the Improved
Order of Red ^len. Politically he has always cast his vote as a stanch
democrat.

No.vii FRArniGER has a very extended personal and Imsiness
acquaintance all over Adams and Wells counties, largely a.s a result of
his business and profession as an auctioneer. Mr. Frauhiger has been
especially active in the business of buying and dealing in livestock, and
is now a resident of Bluffton, with home at 424 West Lancaster Street.

He was born in Adams County, Indiana. December 23, 1882, a son
of Philip and Bertha (IMe.ver) Frauhiger. His father was a native of
Darke County, Ohio, and his mother of Wells County, Indiana.

When Noah Frauhiger wa.s eight years of age his parents removed to
Lancaster Township in Wells County, and there he grew up to the
sturdy discipline of the farm, with advantages supplied by the district
schools. He stayed at home with his father, helping to clear up the
farm, and the land wa.s all in cultivation when he left home at the age
of twenty-four. Removing to Preble in Adams County, "Sir. Frauhiger
conducted a meat market there for a year and a half and also engaged
in the buying and shipping of stock. It was while there that he took
up the profession of auctioneering, and his success in this line has
brought him many engagements all over Northeastern Indiana and he
has cried sales for the past ten years. In 1911 J\Ir. Frauhiger came to
Bluffton, and he now gives all his attention to auctioneering and the
buying of horses.

He married Esta Yarger, a granddaughter of Samuel Yarger. They
have six children, three sons and three daughters, named Herman,
Ervin, Kenneth, Velma. Lucile and an infant. Mr. Frauhiger is a
democrat in politics but has neither sought nor held office.

Thomas H. Koontz graduated from the Bluffton High School thirty
years ago, took up the trade of carpenter, and now for many years has
been one of the leading contractors and builders of Wells County. He
is also widely known over the county becaiise of his former service as
city clerk.

ilr. Koontz was born at Columbia City, Indiana, September 5, 1869,
a son of 0, P. and Catherine S. (Bitner) Koontz. His father was born
at Canton, Ohio, August 8, 1835, and grew up in his native state and
received a liberal education, having attended Mount Union College at
Alliance. In 1854, he came to Whitley, Indiana, locating at South
Whitley. He was living there when the war broke out and in 1861 he
enlisted in Company E of the Forty-fourth Indiana Infantiy, and saw
active service until the close of the struggle, coming out with the rank
of captain of his company. He then returned to South Whitley, and

476 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

soon afterwards was elected sheriff of the county, filling that position
four years. He was a very successful educator, having taught in the
schools of Whitley County seven years, part of the time being principal
of the school at Larwill and at Coesse. In ilarch, 1878, he removed to
Bluffton and for two yeai's taught in the Central school building of that
city. Later he entered merchandising and finally became a contractor,
a line of business which he followed until his death in 1908. He was a
democrat in politics, a member of the Baptist Church and a charter mem-
ber of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias. He and his wife
were married in Whitley County in 1858. Of their children two are
still living, ilorris B.-and Thomas H. The former is a carpenter at
Kansas City, Jlissouri.

Thomas H. Koontz was nine years of age when the family removed
to Bluft'ton and he grew up there, attending the public schools. He
graduated from high school with the class of 1886 and at once began
learning the carpenter's trade. He used that trade as a basis for an
independent business career as a building contractor, and has handled
many important contracts all over Wells County.

September 18, 1899, Mr. Koontz married Miss May Crewell, daugh-
ter of Eli Crewell. They have one daughter, Catherine H., born Sep-
tember 28, 1905.

Mr. Koontz is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of
Pythias, with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, being worshipful master of the lodge, and he and his wife are
both active in Crescent Chapter No. 48, Order of the Eastern Star, he
serving as worthy patron and his wife as worthy matron at the present
writing. Politically Mr. Koontz has been very active in the democratic
party. He was elected and filled the office of citv clerk at Bluff'ton four
years, from 1898 to 1902.

Gr.\nt Pyle. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advance-
ment, Grant Pyle has progressed steadily along the road to success until
he is recognized today as one of the foremost business men of Bluft'ton.
Here he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens, who honor him for
his ability and for his fair and straightforward career. He is district
manager of the Farmers National Life Insurance Company, his head-
cjuarters being at Bluffton.

Grant Pyle was born on a farm in Rock Creek Township, Wells
County, the date of his nativity being July 3, 1867. He is a son of
Robert and ]Mary A. (Clinger) Pyle, the former of whom was born near
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 23, 1831, and the latter in Ohio,
September 10, 1836. Mrs. Pyle accompanied her parents from the Buck-
eye State to Jay County, Indiana, and there was solemnized her mar-
riage. In 1863' ;Mr. and Mrs. Pyle located on a farm in section 27 of
Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and part of their land now forms
the Town of Rockford. They cleared and improved their homestead
and continued to reside thereon until 1912, when they retired from
active work and settled in the city of Bluffton. Here he died February
22, 1915, and she was summoned to eternal rest July 16, 1917. They
were lioth devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and helped
organize the church of that denomination at Rockford. After their
arrival in Bluffton they affiliated with the First Methodist Episcopal
Church, where they gained many warm friends, by whom their demise is
uniformly mourned." Politically Mr. Pyle was a stalwart republican.
Mr. and Mrs. Pyle became the parents of two sons and three daughters :
Emma is the wife of W. A. Redding of IMuncie. Indiana; Grant is the
immediate subject of this review; Iluldah M. married G. B. Johnson,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 477

of Bluffton; Melissa A. is the wife of Robert Dickey, of Rock Creek
Township ; and C. P.

Grant Pyle passed his boyhood and youth ou the old homestead farm
iu Rock Creek Township, attending the public schools during the winter
mouths and working ou the farm during the spring and summer. He
remained at home with his parents until he had reached his majority.
His preliminary educational training was supplemented by a course of
two years in the Methodist Episcopal College at Fort Wayne, Indiana,
now Taylor LTniversity at Upland, Indiana. He initiated his business
career as a traveling salesman for the St. Louis Range Company, cover-
ing Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Two years later he severed his con-
nection with that concern and entered the emploj^ of the Alpaugh-Dover
Company, of Chicago, as superintendent of agencies, his territory being
the ea.stern and New England states and Kentucky. He was with the
latter company for three years, during part of which time he traveled
as far west as Oklahoma and Wisconsin. He then engaged as salesman
for the W. H. Hood Company and the Tobacco Company of Fort Wayne,
reuiaining with those firms for seven years. April 16, 1914, he engaged
in the life insurance business as district manager of the Farmers National
Life Insurance Company, his territory comprising the counties of Wells,
Adams, Blackford, Jay, Randolph and Delaware. His main office is in
Bluffton and he stands in the front rank as an enterprising insurance
writer. Mr. Pyle is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Free and
Accepted Ma.sons, in which he is past master; Bluffton Chapter No. 95,
Roj-al Arch Masons ; Bluffton Council No. 63 ; and Bluffton Command-
ery No. 38, Knights Templars. He is likewise affiliated with Bluffton
Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been a mem-
ber of that organization since July 4, 1892. He is an enthusiastic repub-
lican and is an active politician. He was nominated for the office of
county recorder in 1894, and came within 200 votes of being elected.
He is a stockholder in the Alpaugh-Dover Company and the Farmers
National Life Insurance Company, both of Chicago.

In the year 1893 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pyle to Miss
Ida ;M. Cassell, who was born in Darke County. Ohio, January 1, 1873,
and who was educated in the public schools of her native place. The
following children were born to I\Ir. and Mrs. Pyle: Edna, Russell,
Naomi, Mildred, Harved, Kenneth and Jlerriam. Russell, second oldest
child, is a graduate of the Bluffton High School and is now a successful
teacher in Wells County. The entire family are members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, to whose good works they are liberal contrib-
utors.

W. H. Berling is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the
Berling-Moltz Company at Bluffton. This is one of the large and impor-
tant industries that give Bluffton its importance and prosperity, and
the company also owns plants at Montpelier and Warren, Indiana.

Mr. Berling was born at Decatur, Indiana, October 16, 1886, a son
of G. and Helen (Hartman) Berling. His father was a native of Ger-
many and his mother of Allentown, Pennsylvania. G. Berling came to
Decatur when a young man. and was in business there until his death.
The widowed mother is still living at Decatur. There were four daugh-
ters and three sons in the family. Joseph J., of Decatur; Mary C,
unmarried ; William H. ; Edward, of Decatur ; Agnes, a graduate of the
Decatur High School and a teacher; Genevieve, a graduate of Sacred
Heart Acadamy at Yonkers, New York, and now secretary of the Martin
Klepper Tanning Company of Decatur; and Matilda, a graduate of

478 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Sacred Heart Academy at Fort Wayne. Matilda, ^lai-j-, Joseph J. and
Edward are proprietors of the H. Berliug Company at Decatur.

William H. Berling grew up in his native city, attended the Catholic
parochial schools there, and at the death of his father, at the age of
sixteen, he joined his brother Joseph J. in taking over the produce busi-
ness which their parents had built up. He continued actively associated
in this line at Decatur until he removed to Blufftou August* 9, 1909.

June 20, 1911, Mr. Berling married Edna E. Ehiuger, daughter of
E. X. Ehinger, cashier of the old Adams County Bank. Mrs. Berling
was educated in the parochial schools of Decatur. They have one child,
William H., Jr., born June 27, 1912. Both ^Ir. and ^Irs. Berling are
active members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Bluifton. He was
affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus at Decatur.
Politically he casts his vote as a republican.

Jonas S. Coverdale, M. D. From the point of continuous service the
oldest physician in Adams County is Dr. Jonas S. Coverdale of Decatur.
He comes of a family of physicians, his father before him having prac-
ticed medicine in this section of Indiana, while one of his sons enjoys a
large practice as a specialist at Decatur.

Dr. Coverdale took his preparatory work in medicine at Cincinnati
and began practice in Adams County in 1872. Eight years later he
graduated from the Fort Wayne ^ledical College and has always kept
a:breast of the advancing ideas and methods of his profession. He has
built up a large practice and has ridden and driven over practically
every highway leading out of Decatur even beyond the boundaries of
the comity. Doctor Coverdale is an active member of the state and
county medical societies, and has been president of the latter society.

He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, February 23, 1849, but
when four and a half yeai-s of age his parents removed to Allen County,
Indiana, and somewhat later to Monmouth, in Adams County, a few
miles north of Decatur. In that community he grew up and acquired
his early education in the public schools.

Doctor Coverdale is of old Scotch ancestry. The Coverdales have
been in America for four or five generations. His grandfather Elias
Coverdale was bom in Muskingum County, Ohio, and died there in early
life. His widow married a second time and also spent her years in
Muskingum County.

Dr. Lemuel X. Coverdale. father of Jonas S., was bom in ;Muskingum
County October 3, 1812, and that date attests the early settlement_ of
the family in Ohio. He was one of the three sons of his father, being
the youngest in age. He grew up and married :Mary Ann Shaver. She
was "born in ]\Iuskingum County March 25, 1810, her parents being early
settlers there, coming probably from Virginia. Her mother lived to be
eighty-nine and her father even older.

Dr. Lemuel Coverdale after his marriage began practice in Muskin-
gum countv and along with his work as a medical practitioner he also
did duties "as a lay minister of the :\rethodist Episcopal Church. His
wife was a verv devout member of the same church. All of their eleven
children were "bom in IMuskingum County. Two_ of these children, a
son and daughter, were twins, the son dying in infancy while all the
others grew up, two sons and eight daughters, and all but three married.
Five of them are still living, including two maiden sisters and two wid-
ows. After the familv removed to Adams County Dr. Lemuel Cover-
dale continued his work for many years as a physician and lay preacher.
For the last eight years he lived retired and passed away in 1889. His

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 479

wife died in 1887. They are buried side by side in the Decatur cemetery.
In matters of politics the senior Doctor Coverdale followed the fortunes
of the whig, abolitionist and republican parties.

In Adams County ]\Iay 20, 1873, Dr. Jonas Coverdale married a
neighbor girl, Catherine E. Patterson. She was born in Wayne County,
Ohio, August 4 ,1854, and when a child removed to Adams County, Indi-
ana, with her parents, Thomas and Margaret (Shamp) Patterson, who
were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Her parents spent the rest of their lives
on the farm in Adams County, having located there during the '50s.
Her father cleared away a portion of the wilderness to make this farm
and was a man of considerable substance and importance in his com-
munity. He and his wife were active members of the Presbyterian
Church. In the Patterson family were the following children: Etta,
Van R., J. Monroe, George W., John, Emma, Zale, Mrs. Coverdale and
Margaret, four of whom are still living. All were married and one is now
a widow and one a widower.

The youngest of Doctor Coverdale 's children was ilay, who was well
edueateci in the local high school and also in the Woman's College at
Oxford, Ohio. She died eight months after her marriage to John Chris-
tian. Nelson Thomas Clark Coverdale, the older son of Doctor Cover-
dale, was graduated from the local high school, from the Fort Wayne
International Business College, and is now a successful real estate man
at Nashville, Tennessee. He married May L. Hughes, an Adams
County girl, and their children are Graydon, born February 25, 1896,
and a graduate of the Nashville High School in 1917; Donald Clair,
born April 21, 1900; Jonas Scott, born January 30, 1902; and Ruth
May, born October 9, 1907.

Dr. Earl G. Coverdale, the other son of Dr. Jonas S., was liorn
November 11, 1879. He graduated from the Decatur High School and
in June, 1902, received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Rush Medical
College of Chicago. After two years of general practice he entered the
Chicago Eye, Ear, Novse and Throat Institute and received a diploma
from that "school. Since then he has been practicing along these lines
and has built up a very fine special practice, being associated as a part-
ner with his father. Doctor Earl married at Decatur Estella Ellis. She
was born in Indiana and received her education in the public schools of
Redkey in Jay County. She is the mother of one daughter, Mary Mada-
line, born June 21, 1914.

The family are active in the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Cover-
dale is a Scottish Rite and a Royal Arch Chapter Mason, being affiliated
with the Scottish Rite bodies at Fort Wayne and with :\Iizpah Temple
of the Mystic Shrine in that city. He received his master mason's
degrees iii Masonry in January, 1873, not long after he began medical
practice in Decatiir. When the law was passed requiring counties tn
have a board of health Doctor Coverdale was elected to the first board
and was its secretary. In 1894 he was elected to the city council on
the republican ticket and served till 1898.

George D. Snyder. The career of George D. Snyder, of Bluffton,
has been in many ways a typical American success. Coming to Indiana
a poor boy, working on farms and in stores, he proved his capacity_ and
fidelity in small things and was promoted to increasing responsibilities,
finally getting into business for himself and now for many years has
enjoved an enviable position in Imsiness and civic affairs. At the pres-
ent time Mr. Snyder is district agent at BluflPton for the People's Life
Insurance Company at Frankfort, Indiana. He is also a stockholder in
the company.

©HO. •^' ,vr).

480 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

]\Ir. Snyder was born at ]Moiint Etna in Berks County, Pennsylvania,
January 4, 1863, son of Aaron and Lavina (Lebo) Snyder. His parents
spent all their lives in Berks County. His father was a man of good edu-
cation, taught in public schools, and later practiced law and became
well known both in the law and in democratic politics. He was a mem-
ber of the German Reformed Church. There were thirteen children in
the family, ten sons and three daughters. Ten of the children are still
living, Emma, Robert, George D., Keturah, Matthew, Kate. Carrie, J.
L., William and Lester. George's brother J. L. also lives at Bluffton.

A member of a large family of children, George D. Snyder early
acquired a sense of serious responsibility. His father was moderately
well-to-do in financial circumstances but with such a large family it
devolved upon the children as early as possible to become self support-
ing. George D. Snyder lived at ^Mount Etna until he was seventeen
years of age. He attended public school as opportunity offered, and at
the age of nine began conti'ibuting to the support of the family. He
worked in a general store and at other lines of employment. On com-
ing to Indiana he found work in a livery barn, was there three months,
then went out to Washington County, Kansas, where he found something
more to his liking in a dry goods store.

Mr. Snyder came to Bluffton, Indiana, in 1881 and entered the dry
goods store of that old pioneer merchant, S. M. Dailey. After three
and a half years he transferred his services to another well known old
time merchant, G. P. ilcFarren. ]Mr. Snyder began his employment at
Bluffton at wages of $3.50 a week. When he left ]\Ir. McFarren he was
getting $1,750 a year. He gave up his employment in the ^IcFarren
store to enter the boot and shoe business for himself, and conducted a
very successful store at Bluffton for about ten years. In the meantime
he had bought the Bluffton shoe factory. The weight of business respon-
sibilities finally imdermined his health and he spent two years recuper-
ating in Asheville, North Carolina. On leaving Bluffton he had divided
his stock with a partner. He also had a brief experience in the .jewelry
business and later resumed the boot and shoe trade. For a short time
Mr. Snyder lived with his family in California. On returning to Bluff-
ton he entered the life insurance business, and in that line has had a
very marked success.

June 12, 1887, he married Miss Ida A. Sturgeon. She was born in
Jefferson Township of Wells County, the only child of S. H. and Har-
riett (Caston) Sturgeon. ]Mrs. Snyder lived on the old farm with her
parents until she was ten years of age. She was liberally educated,
attending both the grammar and high schools at Ossian, and she also
graduated in the scientific course at Valparaiso LTniversity with the
degree Bachelor of Science. She took up teaching, being employed in
Noble County, Indiana, and two years in the schools of Ossian. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are active members of the Baptist Church and
Mrs. Snyder teaches the woman's class in the Sunda.y school. ^Ir. Sny-
der is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and with the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife have owned
several good properties in Bluft'ton and their prosperity is a source of
satisfaction not only to themselves but to their many friends. Jlr. Sny-
der has always been a leader in temperance work, and some of the early
meetings to promote temperance were held in his store. He and his
wife had two children : Raymond 0., born September 12, 1890. was
educated in the grammar and high schools of Bluffton and mai-ried Miss
Pearl Shardelow, of Dayton, Ohio. Ruephell, the daxighter. was born
November 16, 1892, was educated in the local schools and in a business
college, and is now the wife of Thomas E. ]Miller.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 481

John W. Smith, an active business man at Bluffton for over thirty-
five years, has had a very strenuous career. At the age of seven he left
home, was bound out, never had opportunities to acquire an education,
and has known a life of hard work and many vicissitudes of experience.
He is an old soldier of the Civil war, having gone into the aniiy when
little more than a boy and was still under age when he came out.

Mr. Smith was born in Holmes County, Ohio, July 18, 1847, a son
of Ela.s and Catherine (Williams) Smith. His father was a native of
Holmes County, Ohio, where he married, and lived there until the latter
part of 1847, when he moved to Van Wert County, in that state. In
1850 he came to Allen County, Indiana, settling near Monroeville. There
he bought a tract of wild land, cleared awav the woods and in the course
of time had a good property. He began life poor and only by the hard-
est work and much sacrifice was he able to obtain a modest degree of
prosperity. Both he and his wife died on the old farm. Elias Smith
was a stanch democrat and quite active in politics. He was also inter-
ested in religious matters and was well informed on the Bible. The
parents had eleven children, all of whom reached maturity except one
and four are still living, namely : John W. ; Jesse Smith, a business man
of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Sarah J., wife of Abe Whitwright. of Decatur,
Indiana; and Charles Smith, in the livery business at Columbus City,
Indiana.

John W. Smith left home at the age of seven and attended school
not more than three months all his life. He was bound out to an uncle
and remained with his uncle until 1863, working hard for his board and
clothes.

October 12, 1863, at the age of sixteen, ]\Ir. Smith enlisted from
Adams Countv in Company C of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. He
was with the Fourteenth Army Corps and under the command of that
gallant General Thomas fought at the battles of Franklin and Nashville
and in many other engagements. He was in the army until September,
1865, when he was granted his honorable discharge at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. Though constantly on duty, often exposed to danger, he escaped
all wounds.

After leaving the army ^Ir. Smith returned to his uncle's home at
Decatur, and subsequently moved to a farm in Allen County, where he
cleared most of the land. He then married Nancy E. Martin. She was
born and reared in Hardin County, Ohio, but came to Adams County,
Indiana, where she met and married her husband. For two years after
his marriage Mr. Smith farmed and then went to Decatur, where he
used his team in helping grade the line of the Grand Rapids & Indiana
Railway. Then for two years he was with the Shockley & AYheel Com-
pany at Decatur, and later was employed in cleaning up the Adams
County courthouse. He cleaned it from basement to roof, making a
thorough job of the entire brick work. He remained in the county seat
of Adams County and was in the draying business for five or six years.
He also acquired' property there, but sold out and removed to Bluffton,
where he engaged in hauling logs and general teaming until 1881, when
he went into the dray business which he has built up to large proportions.
He now has a large business, employing a number of horses and vehicles,
and well merits all the prosperity and success that have come to him.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of nine children, five of
whom are still living, namely: Harry E.. of Battle Creek. ^Michigan :
Lewis W., of Battle Creek; Homer, who lives with his father and is
employed at Bluffton; Clara A., wife of Harry Graddick, of Muncie,
Indiana: and Mary, who is married and lives in Bluffton.

The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

1204201

482 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Mr. Smith is a charter member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of
Pythia.s, and is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In politics a republican, he has been quite active
in local affairs, has used his influence eft'ectively to support all worthy
movements, but has never sought official preferment for himself.

Eric D. "Walser. An enterprising and progressive citizen of Wells
County is Ei-ic D. Walser, who maintains his home and business head-
quarters at Bluffton, where he is proprietor of the West End Meat
Market, in addition to which he is the owner of considerable real estate
in this city.

Mr. Walser was born on a farm in' Nottingham Township, Wells
County, Indiana, October 26, 1865. His parents, Reynold and Cynthia
Ann (Anderson) Walser, are both deceased. The mother died in 1884,
and he passed away June 7, 1913. To them were born nine children,
six of whom are living in 1917. The baby of the family. Eric D. Walser,
grew to a sturdy manhood and as a boy he attended the district schools
of Nottingham Township. At the age of seventeen years he procured
a teacher's license and he was engaged in pedagogy for the ensuing ten
years, teaching in the winter time and attending sessions of the county
normal school at Bluffton in the summers. In 1893 he and his brother,
Dr. J. A. Walser, purchased a general store at Lynn Grove, Indiana,
conducting the same with indift'erent success for a period of three years,
at the end of which Mr. Walser came to Bluffton; Here he entered a
meat market and learned the trade of butcher. He worked in one shop
for fourteen years, and June 4, 1905, he opened his present market,
which has been conducted in a strictly high-class manner ever since.
He owns his up-to-date meat market.

August 11, 1889, Mr. Walser married Miss Elizabeth Bauman, who
was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and who came to Wells County,
Indiana, when she was but two years of age. She was educated in the
common schools of this county and has resided here nearly all her life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Walser were born three children : Zella was graduated
in the Bluffton High School and is the wife of Ralph Staver, of Bluff-
ton; Ralph A., a gi-aduate of the Bluffton High School, was killed in
the Kingsland wreck, September 21, 1910; and Howard C, a member
of the graduating class of 1917 in the Bluft'ton High School, is now a
student in Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio. The entire family are
demoted members of the First Reformed church, in which Mr. Walser
has been an elder since January 1, 1917.

Mr. Walser is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is past grand master, and he is a
charter member of the Ben Hur Lotlge. In politics, while he does not
seek or desire office of any description, he is a stalwart democrat and is
well known as a loyal and patriotic citizen. His success in life is due
entirely to his own well applied efforts. He is progressive in every
sense of the word and is a citizen of whom any community can well be
proud.

C. H. Mead, M. D. A physician and surgeon of thorough ability and
high attainments now practicing at Bluft'ton, where he has had his home
for nearly ten years. Dr. j\Iead is a graduate of the Universitj' of Michigan
both in the literary and medical courses, and is not only a l\ard worker
but one of the cultured citizens of the community.

Dr. Mead was born on a farm in Michigan January 11, 1882, a son
of C. H. and Elizabeth (Osborne) Mead. His parents are substantial
farmers and still living on their old homestead in Michigan. Dr. Mead

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 483

grew up in the eoimtry districts, attended the district schools, and from
them entered the Mount Pleasant High School, where he was graduated
and also took the regular course of the Central Michigan Normal School
at Mount Pleasant. It was through the avenue of teaching that he
largely paid his way through medical college. For two years he was
principal of the Shepherd High School. Entering the University of
Michigan at Ann Arbor, he was in both the academic and medical
departments until he graduated with the degrees of A. B. and M. D.
in June, 1908. In July of the same year he came to Bluffton, and his
w'ork has brought him a steadilj- growing practice. He has served as
health officer of the city and is an active member of the County and
State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Mead married Jeannette Shephard, of Marshall, ilichigan.
She was a graduate of the Marshall High School and the Central Michi-
gan Normal, and taught school for several .years before her marriage.
They have two children: Clarence S., born Augu.st 27, 1910, and Eliza-
beth Eileen, born January 2, 1916. Dr. and Mrs. Mead are members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternallv he is affiliated with
Bluffton Lodge No. 145, A. F. & A. M. ; Bluffton Chapter No. 95,
R. A. M.; BluflEton Council No. 63, R. & S. :\I., and Bluffton Com-
mandery No. 36, K. T. In politics he is a republican.

Adolph Leijigruber. Education and financial assistance are very
important factors in achieving success in the business w'orld of today,
where every faculty must be brought into play, but they are not the
main elements. Persistenc.y and determination figure much more prom-
inently, and a man possessed of these qualities is bound to win a fair
amount of success. Adolph Leimgruber, whose name forms the caption
for this article, is self-educated and during the latter years of his life
he has climbed to a high place on the ladder of achievement. For the
past two years he has been a resident of Bluffton, where he is engaged
most profitably in the manufacture and distribution of ice, his plant
being known as the Bluffton Pure Ice Company.

Adolph Leimgruber was born in Perry County, Indiana, December
30 1864, and he is a son of Sebastian and Julia Auu Leimgruber, both
natives of Switzerland. As a boy Sir. Leimgruber attended the public
schools of Tell City and he resided in that place until his marriage in
1889, when he located at Greeusburg, Indiana, where he was success-
fully engaged in the ice business for a period of nineteen years. In
1908 he moved to Attica, Indiana, there erecting an ice plant, which he
disposed of four years later. He then settled in London, Ohio, whence
he came to Bluffton in November, 1915. Here he purchased the site of
the old washing-machine factoi-y from the ilike Long estate and on the
same erected a substantial and up-to-date building for the manufacture
of ice. The company, of which he is head, is known as the Bluffton Pure
Ice Company and it is more than a local enterprise, as ice is shipped to
many of the towns and cities adjacent to Bluft'ton. The plant runs day
and night and has an output of twenty-five tons in twenty-four hours.
During the short time he has been a resident of Bluffton Mr. Leim-
gruber has gained a reputation for square and straightforw-ard business
methods and his enterprise is a welcome adjunct to the other industries
of this section.

In 1889, in Tell City. Indiana, was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Leimgruber to Miss Anna Fromer, who was born in Ripley County,
Indiana, and educated in the local parochial schools. Seven children
were born of this union, one of whom, a son, is deceased. Following are

484 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

the names of the other children : Herman, Lillian, August, Lawrence,
Christena and Geraldine.

Mr. Leiingruber believes in the principles set forth hy the republican
party, but in voting maintains an independent attitude, preferring to
give his support to the man rather than to the party. Fraternally he
is affiliated with the Catholic Knights of America and the Greensburg
Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He and his wife are devout
communicants of the Catholic Church, in which faith they have reared
their children. Mr. Leimgi-uber is a man of marked enterprise and his
sucL-ess in life is due to his own well directed endeavors. He is warm
hearted and generous in disposition, is fond of home life and is held in
high esteem by all who know him.

Asa W. Brown, I\L D. Since he entered upon his professional prac-
tice at Bluifton eleven years ago Dr. Brown has not only applied his
time and energies to the work of building up a large private clientage,
but has also made his profession a source of benefit and service to the
community and has done much in the way of preventive medicine and
in safegiiarding the general health and sanitary condition of his city
and county.

Dr. Brown was born on a farm in Rock Creek Township of Wells
County September 18, 1877, a son of Asa S. and Christina (Decker)
Brown. His father was born February 27, 1848, in Clinton County,
Ohio, and when a boy accompanied his parents to Indiana. They made
the .iourney in the old fashioned way of wagon and team, traveling over
rough roads and through many miles of unbroken forest. The Brown
family settled in Rock Creek Township of Huntington County, and in
that district Asa S. Brown was reared and acquired his education in
the common schools. He made the best of his opportunities to obtain
an education and subsequently taught school very successfully for about
ten years in Wells, Huntington and Grant counties. After his marriage
he settled on a farm in Rock Creek Township of Wells County and
continued prosperously engaged in this calling until he retired and
removed to Bluffton where he liecame interested in the oil industry.
He died at Blulfton April 19, 1908. He was a very active member of the
Baptist Church. Politically he was a republican, aJid though Wells
County is largely democratic he was once elected to the office of county
commissioner, serving three years. He was the father of twelve chil-
dren, and seven are still living: Dr. Asa W. ; Thurlow W.. who lives
near Fort Benton in Montana ; Agoma P., wife of J. A. Johnston, present
sheriff of Wells County; Arthur W.. of Montana; Victor E., who is
engaged in the glove manufacturing business at Battle Creek, Michigan ;
Nellie, who is unmarried, and Everett, who married Mamie Anderson,
of Bluffton.

Dr. Asa W. Brown had the old farm as his early environment and
the district schools of Rock Creek Township afforded him his early
training. He afterwards attended normal schools and for a year and a
half was a teacher. From the teaching vocation he entered the Medical
College of Indianapolis, where he spent four years and graduated M. D.
In June, 1906, Dr. Brown came to Bluffton and has since practiced
medicine all over this part of the county. He has served as president
and secretary of the Wells County Medical Society and is a member of
the State and American Associations. For the past seven years
Dr. Brown has been county health officer, and prior to that was city
health officer.

In 1904 he married Miss Eva D. Shepherd, who was born in Notting-
ham Township of AVells County, but was reared and received her educa-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 4S.j

tion in the schools of Harrison Township. Dr. and Mrs. Brown have
two children: Asa G., born April 8, 1907, and Robert S., born March
17, 1910. Mrs. Brown is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, while the doctor affiliates with the Christian dfiioinination. He
is identified with Blufftou Lodge No. 114, Indri.i'iKUnt Order of Odd
Fellows, and is medical examiner, of the Modern Woinliiirn of America.
Politically he is a republican and a few years ago he came within seven-
teen votes of being elected county coroner.

AViLLiAM S. Smith is a native of Blufftou, a son of former Senator
J. II. C. Smith of Wells County, and has been steadily making his mark
in business affairs for the past thirty years. He is now proprietor of
the McFarren Clothing Company of Blufftou, in addition to various
other interests.

Mr. Smith was born at Bluffton January 31, 1868. His mother,
Arlie L. (Wisner) Smith, was a native of Wells County, and his father,
J. H. C. Smith, was born in Rock Creek Towaiship of this county August
9, 1842. He has long been one of the prominent members of the Wells
County bar. He represented Hiuitington and Wells counties in the
State Senate four years during the latter '80s. Senator and Mrs. Smith
have two sons living, William S. and Merl W., the latter of Hartford
City, Indiana.

William S. Smith was reared in Bluffton, educated in the common
schools and is a graduate of the rather noted cla.ss of 1886 from the high
school. That class contained thirty-four members, nineteen girls and
fifteen boys, and all are still living except Frank Cummings. After
graduating from high .school Mr. Smith went to work in the local drug
stores, was there one year, was with J. H. Heintz two years, and then
entered the Root & Company store, the leading dry goods house of
northern Indiana, at Fort Wayne. He was with them for four years
and returning to Bluffton entered the employ of ilr. G. F. McFarren.
He learned all the details of the business anil sniucwhat later he bought
out the Tribolet Clothing and Men's Furnishinfi' Store and, associated
with W. R. Barr, they conducted this establishment five years. It was
then sold to the S. Bender Dry Goods Company. For a time Mr. Smith
was with the Leader Company and then returned to G. F. McFarren and
is now proprietor of the clothing department of that handsome and
widely known mercantile house of Bluffton. ^Ir. Smith also owns stock
in the Wells County Bank and is a stockholder in the Abbott Corpora-
tion Company, automobile manufacturers of Cleveland.

June 13, 1893, he married Miss Winnie ilcFarren, who graduated
from the same high school class as her husband. They have three sons:
George H. Smith, who graduated from the Bluffton High School in 1912
and in the electrical engineering course from Purdue LTniversity with the
class of 1916. He is now connected with the National Division of the
General Electric Company of Cleveland. The second son, Wendell S.
Smith, is a graduate of the Bluffton High School, while the youngest,
Hubert, is still a high school student. The family are members of the
Baptist Church, in which Mr. Smith is a deacon. lie is a Knight Templar
and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Sliriner, and in politics
is a democrat.

Wn^LiAii R. Bare. Bluffton has been a center of trade and Itusiness
for over threo quarters of a century, and among those connected with the
business, civic, social and religious life of the community William R.
Barr is prominently numbered. The Leader Company, of which he is vice
president and manager, is now and for some years past has been sup-

4S6 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

plying a large part of the reliable mercliaudise distributed not only in
Bluffton but throughout Wells County. That, however, is only one of
^Ir. Barr's active interests in the city.

By nativity he belongs to the city of Fort Wayne, where he was born
April 27, 1874, a son of Robert and Lettie (Bennett) Barr. His mother
was a daughter of Robert C. and Harriet (Deam) Bennett. Robert Barr,
the father, was born in 1848, at Paisley, Scotland, where the famous
shawls come from. When a small child he accompanied his mother to
America, the first location being at Halifax and later moving to Roch-
ester, New York, where Robert was reared and where he had a common
school education. He learned his trade in machine shops in Rochester
and from there came to Fort Wayne, Indiana, working in the Pennsyl-
vania Railway shops and in 1880 came to Bluffton, where he entered the
service of George W. Grimes in the latter 's foundry and machine shop
on the south side of Washington Street near the railroad. He was con-
nected with that industry until the latter part of 1915 and was active
in building up the industry as a manufactory of boilers, engines, mill
machinery, architectural iron work and other products. He was a mem-
ber of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
which he served as noble grand, and in politics was a republican and
filled the office of councilman one term. He is now living with his son
William R. Barr. There were four children in the family, and the three
now living are: William R. ; Fred H., who is manager of a chain of 5
and 10-ceut stores in which his brother William is also interested, his
home being at Celiua, Ohio : and Alice, a graduate of the Bluffton High
School and the wife of James H. Lepper, who lives at Owensboro, Ken-
tucky, where he is now active in the 5 and 10-eent business.

William R. Barr was six years of age when the family moved to
Bluffton. Here he attended the public and high schools. At the age
of seventeen he went to Rochester, New York, spending a year and a
half employed with a party of civil engineers and at the same time
continued his education by attending night school. Returning to Bluffton,
]\Ir. Barr entered the sein-ice of G. F. ^IcFarren, one of the oldest and
best Iniown merchants of Bluffton. He was with him until 1898, then,
with William S. Smith, he bought the John W. Tribolet clothing store.
At the end of five years Mr. Barr bought the interests of Mr. Smith, and
then merged the store with the firm of Bender, Walmer & Barr. Five
years later Mr. Walmer retired, turning over his interest to the other
two partners.

The Leader Company was incorporated in 1908. Its present officers
are: Samuel Bender, president; William R. Barr, vice president; Her-
bert- H. Bender, secretary and trea.surer, and the board of directors are
Samuel Bender, Mr. Barr and Herbert H. Bender.

Mr. Barr is also one of the directors of the W. B. Bro^vn Company
and is a member of the executive committee and director of the M. & R.
Traction Company. He is also one of the directors of the Elm Grove
Cemeterv.

Mr. Barr is a York and Scottish Rite Mason, past master of his
Masonic lodge and past eminent commander of the Knights Templar
and also belongs to the :Mystie Shrine. He is affiliated with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks and in polities is a republican.

Mr. Barr married ^Margaret Walling, of one of the old and well
known families of ]Muncie, Indiana. She is a graduate of the Muncie
High School. Her parents were :Mark and IMary E. (Gilbert) Walling.
Mr! and ]\Irs. Barr have an adopted daughter, Lois Barr, born August
17 1904. ]\Irs. Barr was well educated in literature and music, and for

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 487

several years taught music in the Blulftoii public schools and has had
active charge of the music of the Baptist Church for a number of years.
Both are active members of tliis church and 2Ir. Barr is a teacher of a
class enrolling about 250 members in the Sunday school.

Louis Severin, ^L D. For over fifteen years Doctor Severin has
practiced medicine and surgery at Bluffton. His professional standards
are high, his work has met with increasing appreciation, and he has
made for himself an honored place in the community and has rendered
a service that cannot be estimated in any material rewards.

Dr. Severin was born at Aurora in Dearborn County, Indiana, Sep-
tember 19, 1870, a son of Julius and Catherine (Horn) Severin. His
parents were both natives of Germany, where they were reared, and they
came to America when young people, both about 1847. The mother first
located at Charleston, South Carolina, later lived at Norfolk, Virginia,
and they became accjuainted and married in Ohio. After their marriage
the.y lived in Gallon, Ohio, and finally established their home at Aurora
in the southern part of the state. The father was a coppersmith by
trade, and for a number of years was a structural ironworker. In their
family were eight children, si.x of whom are still living.

Dr. Severin spent his boyhood days in Aurora, attending the gram-
mar and high school there, and graduating in the high school course in
1887. For several years he followed mechanical lines of employment,
but quite early in life determined that his real career should be in the
medical profession. In 1895 he began the study of medicine, entering
the :Miami ]\Iedical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated with
the well earned degree of Doctor of ]\Iedicine in 1899. During his junior
year he was elected interne in the German Hospital of Cincinnati, and
that gave him a splendid opportunity to apply the theories of text books
and lectures by actual service. He was an interne fourteen months.

In the summer of 1899 Doctor Severin came to Bluffton, but in Janu-
ary following moved to Preble, Indiana. In March, 1901, he returned to
Bluffton and ha.s since carried on his professional work in the city and
surrounding country. He served as city and county health officer for
about nine years, and is a member in good standing of both the county
and state medical societies.

In June, 1903, he married Miss Carrie Plessinger. She is a graduate
of the Bluffton High School, and both are working members of the Bap-
tist Church. Doctor Severin has been superintendent of its Sunday
school for the pa.st two years. They have two children : Martha C, borii
in 1908; and Mars' J., born in 1912. Doctor Severin is a republican
and quite active in party affairs. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bluff-
ton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted IMasons. with Lodge No.
796. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and with the Knights of
the ^laccabees.

Mrs. Severin is a daughter of Col. James B. and Martha (Kellogg)
Plessinger. Her father was long one of the most prominent citizens of
"Wells County and deserves an individual record at this point. He was
born in Greenville, Ohio, September 7, 1837, a son of John and Eliza-
beth (Thompson) Plessinger, the former a native of Pennsylvania and
of German parentage, and the latter a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, of
Scotch-Irish ancestry. The Plessingers were pioneers in Wells County,
locating at Bluffton in 1842, where John Plessinger died in 1875 and
and his wife in June, 1879. James B. Plessinger was one of a family of
six children. He left the public schools at the age of fourteen, worked
as clerk in a local store for six years, and in 1861 left his place behind
the counter and enlisted in the T'nion armv as a musician. He was

488 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

assigned to duty in Company A of tlie Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry
and during his service of two years was promoted to principal musician
of the regiment. He saw much active service, especially during the
great campaigns for the opening of the Mississippi River. While on
duty he was taken ill and after several months in a hospital was dis-
charged March 10, 1863. He returned to Bluflfton, resumed work with
his old employer, hut in January, 1865, engaged in the grocery business.
In 1876 he was called from his private business to the office of sheriff,
having been elected on the democratic ticket. He was re-elected in
1878. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, filled the principal offices in
both the subordinate and encampment degrees and represented both in
the state lodges. He was a commander of Lewis Daily Post of the Grand
Army of the Republic. Bluffton remembers him as one of the most
active organizers of the Bluffton Fire Department in 1879. and for seven
years he was chief engineer of the department. Colonel Plessinger died
while temporarily a resident at Decatur. Indiana. On May 13. 1864, he
married ^Martha Kellogg, daughter of Nelson and Rachel (Wiley) Kel-
logg. She is still living, and has the distinction of being the oldest resi-
dent of Bluffton. where she was born and where her entire life has
been spent.

Edwin S. Walmer. The men who succeed in any enterprise in life,
the generals who win their spurs on the field of battle, the financiers who
amass wealth — are the men who have confidence in themselves and the
courage of their convictions. There is a time in every man's life when
he reaches the conclusion that envy is ignorance ; that imitation is suicide
land that though the world is full of good, no good thing conies to him
without self-reliance and the power to gain results. The man who trusts
himself and who plans well his part on the stage of life is a success. A
strong and sterling character is like an acrostic — read it forward or
backward or across — it still spells the same thing. The business career
of Edwin S. Walmer, one of the foremost dry-goods merchants of Bluff-
ton, is an ample illustration of what persistency and determination,
coupled with ambition and the ability to work, can accomplish.

A native of the City of Bluffton, Edwin S. Walmer was bom Novem-
ber 5, 1868, and he is a son of Henry S. and Catherine (Krill) Walmer.
both natives of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The father was a shoemaker
by trade and he came to Wells County, Indiana, about 1848, entering
the employ of IMatthew Winters as foreman in his shoe shop. Subse-
quently he purchased this shop, employing as many as six operators,
and later he owned a shop on East Market Street. April 1, 1880, he dis-
posed of his shoe shop and located on a farm, part of which is now
within the corjDorate limits of Bluffton. He continued to live on the
farm and devoted his attention to diversified agriculture until his demise,
June 6. 1900. He was a republican in politics and while he did not par-
ticipate actively in Ircal affairs still he manifested a deep and sincere
interest in all mattei*s projected for the good of the general welfare.
Mrs. Walmer was summoned to the life eternal in 1901. She and her
husband were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, in
1917, as follows: Amanda is the wife of W. T. Shaffer, of :\Iuncie, Indi-
ana: Catherine is the wife of D. ]M. Karns, of Bluft'ton : Jennie married
H. E. Rowlev. of Anderson, Indiana: D. A. Walmer resides in Bluffton;
Ella is the wife of G. T. Hartley, of Muncie: Clara is the wife of H. L.
Troutman, of Indianapolis, Indiana : William IT. is a farmer in Harrison
Township, Wells County: Edwin S, : Barbara was the wife of A. J.
Ti-iliolot at the time of her death in 1914; and Sarah died at the age of
ten venrs.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 489

Edwin S. "VValmer was a lad of eleven j'ears of age when his parents
located on the farm. He attended the public schools of the locality and
at the age of thirteen years entered the Bluffton High School, in which
he was graduated as a member of the class of 1886. This class consisted
of thirty-four pupils, the largest graduating cla.ss until 1910. August 1,
1886, he accepted a position with D. A. Walmer & Company of ^lont-
pelier, Indiana, at $6 per week. Out of his salan- he saved $50 during
the first year. He remained with that firm for four years, at the end
of which he engaged in the livery business, selling out his share in that
enterprise to his partner at the end of six months. Returning to Bluff-
ton, he obtained a position with the Leader store and remained in the
employ of that concern for sixteen years, during ten of which he was
salesman and manager. He then entered into a partnership alliance
with S. Bender, under the firm name of Bender & Walmer, dry-goods
merchants, and a short time afterw-ard this concern took over the cloth-
ing firm of Smith & Barr, and the name was changed to Bender, Wal-
mer & Barr. This company was continued for five j'ears but August 27,
1907, ^Ir. Walmer disposed of his interest to Bender & Barr for the
tidy sum of $26,000. March 5, 1908, he purchased a two-thirds interest
in the People's Store (E. S. Walmer & Company), his partner in this
enterprise being J. R. Bishop. In 1913 a third partner, W. C. JIcBride,
was admitted and the store wa.s nui under this triple alliance, as it were,
until August, 1916, when 'Sir. McBride retired, and in the following
month Mr. Walmer also took over the share owned by ^Ir. Bishop. The
People's Store is one of the largest and finest concerns of its kind in
Wells County and has a ver\- extensive patronage. Mr. Walmer was
interested in the Bluffton Steam Laundrs^ and ran the same for two
years. He also has extensive real estate interests in Bluffton and he is
a stockholder in the Studabaker Bank and in the Union Savings & Trust
Company, in the latter of which he is a member of the board of directors.

July' 13, 1892, Mr. Walmer married Miss Isca Wentz. a daughter of
W. H. and Owega (White) Wentz. Mrs. Walmer was born in Mont-
pelier, Indiana. September 23, 1870, and .she was educated in the Bluff-
ton public and high schools. One son has been bom to this union,
namely, Hillard W.. the date of whose nativity is August 30, 1897. He
was graduated in the Bluffton High School and for a year and a half
was a student in the Indiana State University. He then entered IMarion
Institute, at Marion, Alabama, and after four months there passed the
e.xamination and is now midshipman of the United States Army at the
Annapolis Naval Academy.

]\rr. Walmer is a valued and appreciative member of Bluffton Lodge
No. 796. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics he is
a stalwart republican. Mr. Walmer is a man of fine mentality and
broad human sympathy. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes
great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always
courteous, kindly and affable and those who know him personally accord
him the highest e.steem. His life has been exemplary in all respects and
he supports those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit
humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest
commendation.

Charles W. Decker, a former county survevor of Wells County,
ha.s been active in the automobile business at Bluffton since retiring
from office. Mr. Decker is a nutive of Wells County and represents one
of the old and prominent families here.

His grandfather, Isaac Decker, was born in Berks Coiuitv. Pennsyl-
vania, in 1820, son of Christin and Elizabeth (Alliert) Decker, natives

490 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

of the same state. "When a young man he went to Fairfield County,
Ohio, where he married ^liss Langle, then removed to Jaj' County. Indi-
ana, and on his return to Fairfield County his wife died. In Montgom-
ery County, Ohio, he married ^liss Elizabeth Houser, daughter of Henrj-
Houser. Following that he was again in Jay County, Indiana, but fail-
ing health sent him back to Montgomery County, Ohio, and in 1853 he
came to Rock Creek Township of Wells County, where his father had
previously bought land. Still later he removed to Huntington County,
where he cleared up a wild tract of 160 acres, but after eighteen months
returned to his father's farm in Wells County. Only nine acres of that
land had been cleared from the sovereign wilderness and it was the scene
of his prosperous activities as a farmer until his death in 1868, at the
age of forty-eight. His wife survived him until 1872. They had ten
children, ^saac Decker was an early democrat in politics.

His son Edward Decker, father of Charles W. Decker, was born in
Montgomery County, Ohio, July 19, 1846, and was seven years of age
when his parents came to Wells County, where he lived ever afterwards
save for tlie brief time spent in Huntington County. He was educated
in tlie district schools of Rock Creek Township, and after his father's
death bought the old Decker farm and became one of the well-to-do and
influential agrienltiirists of the county. He lived a long and useful life,
terminated by his death at the age of seventy in December, 1916. He
died in Hope Hospital at Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1869 he married
Miss Rebecca L. Houtz, daughter of John Houtz, of Rock Creek Town-
ship. Thev were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, including
Charles W., John F., Rufus L., Otto R.. Devilla N., Orpha, Jesse and
Lydia E. The latter is now the wife of William Hoover of Huntington
County, Indiana. Edward Decker was an active member of the
Emmanuel Reformed Church of Rock Creek Township.

Mr. Charles W. Decker was born on his father's fainu in Rock Creek
Township ]\Iarch 5, 1877, and in that locality, endeared to the family
by so many associations, he grew to manhood. He was educated in the
district schools and in Valparaiso Normal, and for three years was a
teacher in Rock Creek Township. Of his six brothers four also taught
in the same schools. At the age of eighteen ilr. Decker removed to
Bluflr'ton and became deputy surveyor of Wells County, but resigned
that position to complete his education. In November, 1910, he M-as
elected county sur\'eyor and filled that office with great credit and effi-
ciency a full term of four yeai-s, completing his work on December 31,
1914. The following year he took the local agency of the Overland auto-
mobile, and has done much to distribute that deservedly popular and
high class car.

August 13. 1899, ^Ir. Decker married Lillie M. IMcAfee. daughter
of John ^IcAfee, of Rock Creek Township. The [McAfees are another
old and well known family of Wells County. I\Irs. Decker is a graduate
of the common schools of Rock Creek Township, having attended the
same school as her husband and in the same grade. They have three chil-
dren : Verdi, who graduated from the Bluft'ton High School in 1917;
Ruth, aged six years: and Charles W., Jr., now two years old. jMrs.
Decker is a meinber of the Lutheran Church at St. Pa\il, while her
daughter is active in the Reformed Church. ^Ir. Decker has followed
the political faith of his ancestors and is a sturdy democrat. He is now
serving his second term as trea.surer of the Bhiffton School Board, and
other interests require considerable of his time. He is secretary and
general manager of the Bluffton Free Street Fair and is a stockholder
in the Banner Publishing Company.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 491

Fred J. Tangeman. Tlie history of a nation is nothing more than a
history of the individuals comprising it, and as they are characterized
by loftier or lower ideals, actuated by the spirit of ambition or indiffer-
ence, so it is with a state, county or town. Success along any line of
endeavor would never be properly appreciated if it came with a single
effort and unaccompanied by some hardships, for it is the knocks and
bruises in life that makes success taste so sweet. The failures accentuate
the successes, thus making recollection of the former as dear as those of
the latter for having been the stepping-stones to achievement. The career
of Fred J. Tangeman. secretary and treasurer of the Union Savings &
Trust Company at Bluffton, but accentuates the fact that success is
bound to come to those who .join brains with ambition and ai-e willing
to woi'k.

A native of the Buckeye State of the Union, Mr. Tangemfru was liorn
in Mercer County, Ohio, near Coldwater, August 12, 1869, and he is a
son of Benjamin and Mary (Albers) Tangeman, both of whom were
born in ]\Iercer County, Ohio, where she died in 1874. The father was
identified with fanning and contract and building operations for a
number of years and he is now living in retirement in Coldwater, Ohio.
He was twice married and the maiden name of his second wife is Kall-
meyer.

Fred J. Tangeman was five years of age when he wa.s bereft of his
mother and about that time his father located in the Town of Coldwater,
where he married again. IMr. Tangeman was cared for by his step-
mother and he attended the public schools until he reached his twelfth
year. He then entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of
cigar-maker. The man under whose tutelage he acquired that art located
in Bluffton. Indiana, in 1883, and two years later Mr. Tangeman also
came here. He followed his trade in this city until 1897, when he went
to Bedford, Indiana, there spending four months, and thence went to
Portland, this state. He remained in the latter place for seven months,
and was there at the time of the outbreak of the Spanish-American war.
He manifested his patriotism by enli.stment in Company E, 160th Indi-
ana Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted from private to cor-
poral, to sergeant, to commissary sergeant and finally to lieutenant,
February 22. 1899. at which time the regiment was ordered to ilatan-
zas. Cuba. The men were mustered out of service April 26, 1899, at
Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Tangeman then returned to Bluffton and here
followed his trade until the fall of 1899, when he bought the S. P. Raush
cigar store and engaged in business on his own account. He conducted
this store until September, 1902, when he was elected city treasurer, in
which office he served with marked efficiency until September, 1906. In
July of that year the Union Savings & Trust Company was organized
and ^Ir. Tangeman wa.s elected its secretan^ and treasurer. L. C. Daven-
port was elected president and served as such and as a member of the
bank's board of directors until liis death in 1917. and "W. A. Kunkel was
chosen vice president. In 1917 the board of this substantial financial
institution comprises the followine prominent citizens : D. A. "Walmer,
Ezra Levenson, W. L. K^iger, S. E. Hitchcock, H. R. Swisher and E. S.
"Walmer.

In January, 1901, Mr. Tangeman was united in marriage to ]Miss
Jane Osbome. a native of Rush County, Indiana. IMrs. Tangeman was
orphaned when a mere child and she was reared in the home of an uncle.
She attended the public schools.

IMr. and ^Irs. Tangeman have one son. Frederick 0.. whose birth'
occurred October 29. 1906. and who is now a pupil in the grades. They
are communicants of the Catholic Cliurch.

492 ADAJI8 AND WELLS COUNTIES

Mr. Tangcman is a prominent fraternity man, having the following
connections: Past exalted ruler in Blutfton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and represented the same in the Supreme
Lodge at Denver in 1914; is past chancellor in Bluflfton Lodge No. 92,
Knights of Pythias, and during a furlough while serving in the army
he attended the Grand Lodge of Indiana at Indianapolis, being the only
soldier present ; he is one of the trustees of Bluffton Lodge, Loyal Order
of ]Moose; and is clerk of Bluffton Lodge No. 11367, Modern Woodmen
of America, of which he is one of the charter members. In politics he
is a democrat, and he served on the city school board for three years,
two years as secretary and one year as treasurer. It is self-evident from
the foregoing dita that Mr. Tangeman is a prominent and influential
citizen in Bluffton. Shrewd and enterprising in business, he possesses
the initiative that helps one to forge ahead. His loyal support of every
measure tending to improve the general welfare and his willingness to
serve in any capacity that is required of him by the community or state
makes him specially valuable as a loyal and patriotic citizen.

Harry R. Swisher. The career of Harry R. Swisher is a noble
illustration of what independence, self-faith and persistency can ac-
complish in America. ]\Ir. Swisher is a self-made man in the most
significant sense of the word for no one helped him in a financial way
and he is self educated. As a young man he was strong, vigorous and
self-reliant. He trusted in his own ability and did things single handed
and alone. Today he stands supreme as a successful business man and
a loyal and public spirited citizen. ]Most of his attention has been de-
voted to the lumber business and at the present time he is treasurer and
general manager of the F. L. ]\Iercer Lumber Company, at Bluffton,
Indiana.

Harry R. Swisher was born in Union City, Ohio, July 21, 1863, a
son of Alex and Ibbie (Wiley) Swisher. The mother was born in Ran-
dolph County, Indiana, in 1843, and she was summoned to the life
eternal in LTnion City, Ohio, in April, 1917. Alex Swisher is a native
of Darke County, Ohio, and in his youth he learned the trade of miller.
He located in Union City, Ohio, as a young man, and there was pro-
prietor of a mill, which he leased, during the greater part of his active
business career. He is now living retired in that city, where was solem-
nized his marriage and where his wife is buried. There were three chil-
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Swisher.

After a -'omewhat limited education in the public schools of Ran-
dolph County, Indiana, Harry R. Swisher entered the employ of the
Witheam Anderson Lumber Company, in Union City and he was with
that concern until his fifteenth year. He then became a clerk in a shoe
store and continued as such for a period of fifteen years, during which
time he also learned the trade of painter. In 1893 he engaged in the
lumber business at Swayzee, Indiana, and after remaining in that city
for three years disposed of his yard to the Grant Lumber Company.
Then entering the employ of the Winters Lumber Company at Elwood,
Indiana, he remained there for a year and a half. In February, 1898,
he came to Bluft'ton and purchased the E. H. Montgomery Lumber Com-
pany, and there he has since maintained his home and business head-
quartei's. He is now treasurer and general manager of the F. L. Mercer
Lumber Company, the other officers of which are W. II. Campbell,
president, and W. S. Brannum, secretary.

May 16, 1889, was solemnized the marriage of Jlr. Swisher to iliss
Winnie I. Smith, a native of Union City, Indiana, where she was
graduated in the high school. Mr. aiul Mrs. Swisher have three chil-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 49.5

dren, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated :
Fred S. a graduate of the Bluffton High School, and who was a student
in the Indiana University for one year. He is general manager of tlie
H. A. Bennett Heading Company, at Pine Blufif, Arkansas. He married
Catherine Bennett, a daughter of H. A. Bennett. Nellie ^Marie, after com-
pleting the prescribed course in the Blutt'ton High School, attended
Oberlin University, "Wisconsin Normal at Oshkosh. Wisconsin, and she
devoted some time to the study of music. George A. is a graduate
of the Bluffton High School and for two years was a student in Purdue
University. He is now connected with the II. A. Bennett Heading Com-
pany at Portland, Arkansas.

Fraternally Mr, Swisher affiliates with Bluffton Lodge No. 145,
Free and Ai'rf|)tcil .M.is-ons; Bluffton Chapter No. 95, Royal Arch ]\Iasons ;
Bluffton Coiinril X,,. (;;!, Royal and Select Masters; Bluffton Command-
ery Knights Templar No. 38 ; and Mizpah Temple at Fort Wayne,
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has
achieved the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite branch of ^Masonry,
and with his wife and daughter he is a member of the Order of the East-
ern Star. He is likewise a member of Union City Lodge No. 152. In-
dependent Order of Odd P'ellows, in which he is past grand, and of
Randolph Encampment No. 87 of that order. He is past exalted ruler
in Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
He is a republican in his political convictions and has served as a mem-
ber of the county executive committee of that party, ilr. Swisher is a
man of splendid executive ability, of unquestioned integrity and he com-
mands the confidence and esteem of his fellow men in every walk of life.
In religious matters he and his family are members of the Baptist Church.

Walter L. Hadley is one of the leading veterinary surgeons of
Adams and Wells counties, and has been in active practice at Bluft'ton
for the past five years.

He was born in Hendricks County, Indiana, February 2-3, 1875, son
of John B. and ilartha J. (Richardson) Hadley. He was a small child
when his father died and his mother afterwards married again and the
family removed to Clinton County, Indiana. In that county Walter L.
Hadley grew up on a farm in Forest Township, getting his education in
the di.strict schools and in the Forest High School. After leaving high
school he worked on the farm, and then followed his inclination and
talent to make a profession of veterinary surgery. He graduated from
the Indiana Veterinary College in 1912, and since June of that year
has been in active practice at Bluffton.

Doctor Hadley had two brothers, one of whom is a doctor of medicine
at Frankfort. Indiana. A half brother. Dr. H. N. Oliphant, is a physi-
cian at the National ^Military Home of Marion. Indiana. Another lialf
brother. Herman E. Oliphant, is a professor in the law department of the
University of Chieaeo and is now in the service of the United States
Government at AVashington looking after certain phases of foreign and
domestic commerce. Still another brother, John T., graduated from
the Moody Bilile School in 1917 and is an evangelistic singer.

Doctor Hadley married Josephine Sunier of Bluffton. daughter of
Jesse Sunier of this city. Doctor Hadley is a democrat in politics.

D.\L Wandel is a citizen too well known in Wells County to re(|nire
any extensive introduction. People know him especially through his
service as a former clerk of the Wells Circuit Court. At the present
time he is proprietor of the Central Grocery at Bluft'ton.

Mr. "Wandel was born January 1, 1869. in the State of Illinois, but

494 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

when a j^ear old his parents returned to Blufi'tou and here practically all
his life has been spent. He was given the Christian name of Adalgo, but
by that name lie would hardly be known, since everyone speaks of him
as "Dal" Wandel. He was reared in Bluffton and was educated in the
grammar and high schools of that city.

ilr. Wandel is a son of J. W. and Littia (White) Wandel. His
grandfather, John Wandel, was a pioneer citizen of Wells County, a
resident of the Village of Zanesville, and served as the county treasurer
from 1855 to 1859. dying during his second term in the office. J. W.
Wandel was a gallant soldier of the Union army, being a member of
Company I of the 22ud Indiana Infauti-y. He served all through the
wai' and was with Sherman 's armj- in its march from Atlanta to the sea.

Dal Wandel was the only child of his parents. After leaving public
school he took up the trade of barber, and followed it actively for about
twenty years. In the meantime he began operating in the Indiana oil
fields, and his judgment was sufficient to direct his investments and
operations in a highly successful degree. Mr. Wandel has always been
a democrat, and only once entered politics as a candidate for office. In
the democratic primaries when he was an aspirant for the office of clerk
of Circuit Court he had four competitors. His popularity enabled him
to outdistance all his rivals, and he lacked only twenty-one votes of
having a clear majority of the entire field. In the general election which
followed he had no opposition, and his oifical performance was as credit-
able as his best friends expected it would be. After leaving that office
he was given an appointment by the Secretary' of State as head of the
mailing department, a position he filled until December, 1916, when he
returned to Bluffton and bought the Central Grocery north of the Court
House and is now doing a flourishing business at that stand.

Mr. W^andel married Nellie M. Clayton, who was educated in the
grammar and high schools of Bluft'ton and is a daughter of John Clay-
ton. They have one daughter, Florence, born August 6, 1894. She
graduated from the Bluffton High School and spent two years in the
State University of Indiana. Sir. Wandel is affiliated with the Improved
Order of Red I\Ien, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the
Knights of Pythias, and in the latter organization was captain of the
Uniform Rank Company.

George F. Markley, of the firm of ilarkley & Son at Bluffton, is
one of a number of successful men of the ]\Iarkley name who from pioneer
times to the present have been identified with Wells County.

The history of his branch of the ^larkley family in Wells County
goes back to his grandfather, Gabriel Markley. who was born in Mary-
land Januars' 11, 1814, a son of Jonathan ^Markley, a native of the same
state. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Pennsyl-
vania, and later to ]\Iadison County, Ohio. lu 1836 Gabriel ilarkley
married Hannah Tuttle, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, March
30. 1818. a daughter of Solomon Tuttle. In 1837 Gabriel Markley and
wife came to Wells County. Indiana, which was then completely covered
with the woods and all the wilderness nature. He had a farm in section
18 of Harrison Township, along the Wabash River. Only four white
families were to be found in that part of the county. He and his wife
endured many privations, but their outlook was promising, and in the
course of time Gabriel Markley was the owner of some 1,100 acres of
land. It is said that his property when he first arrived in W^ells County
consisted only of a horse and a cow, and the latter died soon after they
came to the county. Gabriel Markley and wife had twelve children.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 495

They were active members of the Christian Church. Gabriel ^Marliley
died June 12, 1873, and his wife on March 30, 1883.

Jonathan Markley, father of the Bluft'ton merchant, was born in
Wells County June 4, 1838, soon after his parents arrived in this wilder-
ness. For many years he enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest
living white person born in Wells County. He had to be satisfied with
such education as was obtainable in the old subscription schools taught
in a log cabin. On December 21, 1858, he married Miss Catherine Stur-
gis, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brasier) Sturgis. Following
his marriage he worked a farm near the old homestead for several years,
continued farming at Newville until the spring of 1882, when he re-
turned to Harrison Township and acquired 160 acres of land which he
brought under a high state of cultivation. The years brought him pros-
perity and the honor paid to a useful citizen, and death came to him in
his seventy-ninth year on April 28, 1917. He and his wife were active
members of the Six IMile Christian Church and in politics he was a
prohibitionist. He and his wife had thirteen children, and eight of the
sons and two of the daughters are still living.

One of them was George F. ilarkley. who was born in Harrison Town-
ship of Wells County February 5. 1861. The farm, rural environment
and country schools offered the chief experiences of George F. Markley
during his bo3-hood. After work in the County Normal he was qualified
as a teacher and he continued teaching in the winter and farming in the
summer until he came to Blulfton and engaged in the grocery business
in 1893. His store was on Market Street for two years, until it was
burned out, and he then moved to ilain Sti'eet and in 1899 came to his
present location at 222 West Market. In 1902 the firm became Markley
& Son, and they have long been among the leading purveyors of high
class provisions in Bluffton.

ilr. Markley married for his first wife Ellen Arnold, who died in
1888. Their three children were Jessie, Vernon C. and Augusta. They
were all educated in the Bluffton public schools. In 1893 Mr. Markley
married Lillian Gettle, who was born in Bluffton, daughter of Sarah
Gettle. Mr. and Mrs. Markley have four children: Harold, who is a
gi-aduate of the Bluffton High School, is married and is now connected
with the Leader Company Store at Bluffton : Paul, a graduate of the high
school, who has culisted in the army and is now serving in the United
States at Foi't Dupont, Delaware: Edna is the wife of Claude Farling;
Herman completccl the course of the Bluft'ton High School in 1917.

The family are active members of the [Methodist Episcopal Church
and Mr. ^Markley is a member of its official board. Fraternally he is
identified with Bluffton Lodge No. 114 of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, is a past noble grand of the lodge, and belongs to both the En-
campment and Canton of Odd Fellowship. Mr. JMarkley is an active
democrat, but his chief public service has been rendered to the public
schools of Bluffton. For twelve years he was a member of the board,
three years its secretary, was treasurer six years, and president three
j^ears.

Charles Kaltwasser. The name of Charles Kaltwasser is signifi-
cant of all tliat is honorable and good in connection with the mercantile
activities of Bluffton, and it is not difficult to undei'staud the esteem he
enjoys in the community when it is recalled that for thirty-three con-
secutive years he has catered to the demands of the community with
high class fresh meats and general market supplies. Mr. Kaltwasser
learned his trade when a bov in Germanv and his success is largelv due

496 ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES

to the fact that he kept strictly in one line and has performed the service
for which he is best titted.

He was born in Germany May 13, 1854, and grew up in one of the
German cities. As is cnstomaiy in the Fatherland, he was a student in
the common schools until the age of fourteen and then began learning a
trade. He served as a butcher's apprentice three years and as a journey-
man traveled and worked in Berlin and in many other large cities. He
was also called upon to serve in the regular army and put in twenty-six
months with the German cavalry. On leaving the army he M'orked at
his trade in Luxembei-g for a couple of months, then by way of Antwerp
proceeded to Liverpool and thence a vessel carried him across the Atlan-
tic to Boston, Massachusetts. He has been a resident of the United
States and a loyal American citizen since 1877. His first location was at
Wooster, Ohio, where he followed his trade SVo years, and in 1881 located
at Bluft'ton. He first worked as a journeyman in this city but since
1884 has been in business for himself and all that time on West Market
Street. He owns the building in which his shop is located and also owns
a good substantial home on East Washington Street.

Mr. Kaltwasser married for his first wife Fannie Bowman, a native
of Wayne County, Ohio. She became the mother of three children, but
the only one now living is William of Bluft'ton. For his second wife
I\Ir. Kaltwasser married Lizzie Bentz, who was born in Adams County,
Indiana. Mr. Kaltwasser is an active member of the Refoi-med Church,
is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and with the Encampment No. 141. He also belongs to the
Tribe of Ben Hur, being a charter member. Politically he is a democrat,
contenting himself merely with casting his vote.

Samuel M. Snider, head of the firm of Snider Brothers, plumbing
and heating, at Bluffton, educated himself for the law, practiced several
years, but has found his chief field of eftort in practical business affairs,
in which he has made a decided success.

Mr. Snider was born in Jefferson Township of Allen County, Indiana,
February 27, 1877, but most of his life has been spent in Adams or Wells
counties. His parents were James il. and Sarah C. (Weldy) Snider.
James il. Snider was born in Ohio September 25, 1852, and was brought
to Allen County, Indiana, in 1854. He grew up there, attending the
common schools. In 1876 he married Miss Weldy in Adams County.
She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 11, 1852, and her parents
were early settlers of Adams County, Indiana. After their marriage
James M. Snider and wife settled on the old Snider farm, but some years
later came to Adams County and bought the old Weldy farm in 1885.
That was their home until 1896, when they acquired the old Sanuiel Mills
farm in Lancaster Township, a mile east of the Eaglevillc school house,
and they still reside there, having surrounded themselves with comforts
sufficient for all their future needs. They are active members of the
Church of the Brethren at Pleasantdale in Adams County. James M.
Snider is a republican, and has been an ardent supporter of that party
for many years. There were six children, five sons and one daughter:
Samuel M. ; William K., who married ^lyrtle Howley, now deceased, and
he follows the business of shooting oil wells at Tulsa, Oklahoma ; ^Miriam
]\I., wife of E. E. Rupright of Adams County, Indiana; Seth W., who
graduated from the Theological Seminary at Upland, Indiana, but is
now associated with his brother as junior member of the firm Snider
Brothers at Bluffton, his wife's maiden name being I\Iabel Owens;
George A. Snider, who graduated from the Blufl?tou Business College
and in the classical course from Taylor University, is now a Methodist

ORLO E. LESH

ADAMS AND WELLS COUXTIP]S 497

Episcopal minister in the Geneva Cin-nit ; Philip S. Snider is uiunarried
and a farmer at home.

Samuel M. Snider was tivc years of age when brought to Adams
County, and he acquired his early education in the old Peterson school
house there. In early manhood he entered the qffice of the late J. J.
Todd and applied himself to his law studies until admitted to the bar
before the Wells Circuit Court in 1899. He at once located in Ossian,
and had a considerable law practice there for five years. He gave up
law to engage in farming in Adams County for a couple of years, follow-
ing which he came to Bluffton and was employed by a local sawmilling
concern for two years. From that he entered the plumbing and heating
business, and after about four years alone associated with him his
brother Seth in 1915. They have the reputation of being thoroughly
reliable men in their business and carry a complete line of goods and
also furnish a prompt and thoroughly competent service.

Mr. Snider married, December 25, 1896, ^liss Mina May Beery. She
was born in Darke County, Ohio, but was educated in the schools of
Indiana. They have had three children : Lloyd D., born July 29, 1898,
and now employed by the G. E. Kinney Shoe Company of Dayton, Ohio ;
Martha F., who was born June 26, 1901, and died August 3, 1914; and
James H., born January 29, 1905, and still attending the local schools
of Blufifton.

The family are members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Snider is a
deacon in the church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bluifton Lodge
No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and is a past chancellor of Ossian Lodge No.
343 of the same order. He has done all he could to promote the interests
of the republican party and of public spirited movements at Bluffton.
Not long ago he was defeated by a narrow margin for the office of county
recorder.

Orlo Ervin Lesh, supervising editor of this publication for Wells
County, is thoroughly imbued with the life and affairs of Wells County,
where he has spent practieall_v all . his years since birth. His family
associations with the county go back sixty or seventy years and his
interest in the county and its people has led him to cherish and store up
in his mind many stories of pioneer things he has heard from the lips
of his own people and of other early settlers. Mr. Lesh is one of the
scholarly men of Wells County, has for a number of years been prom-
inent in educational affairs, and is now serving as county treasurer.

He was born in Rock Creek Township of Wells County December 1,
1872, a son of James and Sarah (Staver) Lesh. He is of old Pennsyl-
vania stock, of German Lutheran ancestry, and the family first became
acquainted with the new and somewhat crude district of Rock Creek
Township along in the late '40s. James Lesh was born in Rock Creek
Township, had only the advantages of the rural schools, and applied
himself with great industry to his business as a farmer. He was a
democrat in politics and a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife,
Sarah Staver, who was born near Dayton. Ohio, was brought when a
small child to Indiana by her parents, Jonathan Staver and wife. Her
childhood was not free from cares and responsibilities much in advance
of her years and she assumed an important part in her father's house-
hold.

Orlo E. Lesh received most of his early training in the common
schools, and while living on the home farm. For a short time he
attended the Central Normal College preparatory for teaching, and
did his first work in that profession in 1891 at the age of eighteen.
Prom that time forward he was continuously engaged in the school-

498 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

room until 1904. At that date he moved to Bluffton to become deputy
county auditor of Wells County, hut in 1907 resig:npd to again take up
teaching and became instructor of history in the Bluffton public schools
for live years. He resigned this position to become deputy county
treasurer in 1913, aijd was still in that office when in 1916 he was
nominated and elected county treasurer, beginning his official term on
January 1, 1917. Sir. Lesh was elected as a democrat and has been
one of the influential workers in that party for a numl)er of years.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and for three years was
chairman of the Board of Associated Charities of Bluffton.

Among the various fraternities Mr. Lesh has concentrated liis chief
enthusiasm upon the Knights of Pythias. He became a member of the
local Bluft'ton lodge in 1904, has filled all the chairs and is now president
of the county organization of Knights of Pythias lodges in Wells
County, and is also district deputy grand chancellor of the Ninth
District of Indiana.

On July 31, 1912, at Bluffton he married Margaret J. Stine, daughter
of David and ilary Ann Stine. Her father spent three years in the
Union army during the Civil war as a fifer, and subsequently followed
his trade as a blacksmith at Ossian. Mrs. Le-sh is a graduate of the
Ossian High School and later graduated from the Indiana State Normal.
She taught in ]Muncie, Indianapolis and Bluffton until her marriage
in 1912. In 1917 she became Mr. Lesh's chief deputy in the treasurer's
office.

Col. W. L. Kiger has been known in Bluffton business circles for
many years, is manager of the Williamson Hardware Company of Bluff-
ton, and has always been keenly interested in militaiy affairs and made
a splendid record with the Indiana National Guard both when it was on
a peace footing and during the Spanish-American war.

Colonel Kiger was born at Lancaster, Ohio, February 3, 1861, a son
of Jesse H. and Margaret (Haldermau) Kiger. Colonel Kiger was
reared on a farm, and acquired a liberal education, first in the common
and high schools of Chillicothe, Ohio, and later in the Ohio State Uni-
versity. While in university he secured his first technical knowledge of
military tactics and training. For a time he was in the hardware busi-
ness at Williamsburg, Iowa, but on June 8, 1886, came to Bluffton and
for ten years was employed in the hardware business of the Williamson
Brothers. He acquired an interest in the store and when 1he William-
son Hardware Company was organized January 1, 1896, he was elected
its manager. The other members of the firm, all now deceased, were L.
A. and George T. Williamson. Colonel Kiger is also a stockholder in
the Wells County Bank and one of the directors of the Union Trust
and Savings Company.

Soon after he left the Ohio State University Colonel Kiger entered the
Ohio National Guard as a private and in 1890 became identified viith the
Indiana National Guard at the time Company E was organized. He was
elected its first captain and two years later was appointed major, and
after another year was promoted to colonel of the Indiana National
Guard. He was mustered into the service of the United States as a lieu-
tenant colonel in the 160th Regiment on April 26, 1898, only two or
three days after the war was declared, with Spain. He went with the
regiment to Chickamauga Park, was next ordered to Porto Rico, thence
to Newport News, and to Lexington, Kentucky. In November, 1898,
the regiment was moved to Columbus, Georgia, and on January 6,
1899. embarked for Cuba, Colonel Kiger haviug command of the First
Detachment of the 160th Regiment. He continued in command of

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 499

this, detachment until the entire regiment was landed. He saw much
active duty in Cuba, where he remained until IMarch 27, 1899, and
then returned to Savannah, Georgia, and was mustered out April 26.
1899. Colonel Kiger is now on the retired list of the Indiana National
Guard.

He was first married in 1884, and had two children by that union.
His sou Bruce Kiger was graduated from the Bluff ton High School
and secured his higher education in the Ohio State University. He be-
came prominent as a newspaper man, was connected with the Arkansas
Gazette at Little Kock four years and .subsequently \vith the Detroit
News. His death in April. 1914, cut short a most promising career.
The other child of Colonel Kiger was a daughter who died in infancy.
In November, 1912, he married Ruth Barringer. She was born in Cov-
ington, t)hio, graduated from the Union City, Indiana, High School,
and was a graduate nurse of the Protestant Hospital of Columbus, Ohio.
She followed her profession actively for eight years. Colonel and Mrs.
Kiger are active members of the Presb\i:erian Chixrch of Bluffton. He
is a republican in politics, and is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145,
Ancient Free and Accepted IMasons, Royal Arch Chapter No. 9.5, Council
No. 63, Royal and Select ]\Iasters, and Bluffton Commandery No. 38,
Knights Templar, of which he is past eminent commander.

B. C. Kellet is head of the finn of B. C. Kelley & Son, manufac-
turers of granite and marble monuments at Bluffton. It is a business
which has been developed through successive years, and the present
firm has been in existence almost twenty years.

"Sir. B. C. Kellev was born at Zanesville, Ohio. April 30, 1857. His
father, Patrick Kelley, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, coming to the
United States and first settling in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss
Axe. After their marriage they moved to Ohio. They were the parents
of five children : James Kelley. of Kentucky ; George Kelley, of Topeka,
Kansas ; John W. Kellev, of Geneva, Adams Countv. Indiana ; Samuel
F. Kelley, who died in i917 ; and B. C. Kelley.

B. C. Kelley grew to manhood in Ohio, and had to be satisfied with
a common school education. He came to Adams County, Indiana, in
early life, and at Geneva mamed Rebecca J. Nelson. After his marriage
he took up farming near Geneva and lived on a farm for a time, until the
death of his wife in 1892.

He then began learning the trade of marble cutter and in 1897
entered business for him.self at Geneva. Soon afterward he established
a branch shop at Berne, and in 1906 removed to Bluffton and bought the
old established business of W. S. Kapps. Since 1897 his son John "W.
Kelley has been associated with him.

By his first wife B. C. Kelley had six children, and the four still
living are : John W. : George H., a railroad man with the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company at Plymouth, Indiana; Louise, wife of Joe King, of
Fort "Wayne, Indiana ; and Susie, wife of Albert Boseker, of Fort "VVayne.
Mr. B. C. Kelley owns a home at 315 Miller Street in Bluffton.

His son and business partner. John W. Kelley, was born near Geneva
in Adams County, April 16, 1882. He grew up on a farm, was educated
in the high school at Geneva and at the early age of fifteen went into busi-
ness with his father. In June, 1902, John W. Kelley married Bessie M.
Kelly. Though of the same family name they were not relatives. Mrs.
Kelley was born near Geneva, Indiana, and was educated in the com-
mon schools there. They have a family of bright and attractive chil-
dren, Madeline M., Helen L.. Susie Marie. Joseph W., and Martha E.
This family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Bluffton.

500 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Politically Mr. Kelley is a democrat and has taken an active part in
local affairs. He owns his home at 633 South Marion Street. Tlie busi-
ness building occupied by B. C. Kelley & Son belongs to both partners.
B. C. Kelley also owns a fann of forty acres in Union Township and his
son is interested in real estate at Fort Wayne and Bluffton, Indiana.

Chables J. Blackmax, Doctor of Osteopathy, entered upon the work
of his profession at Bluft'ton about fifteen years ago and in addition to
the prestige he has gained through his individual work is especially well
known as founder and proprietor of the Blackman Sanitarium. Doctor
Blackman is a physician of splendid ciualifications, and is a very useful
man when anything that concerns the welfare of the community is at
stake, as has been proved on numerous occasions.

Doctor Blackman is a native of Ohio and when an infant his parents
removed to Toledo, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He gradu-
ated from the high school, and later entered the Still College of Oste-
opathy at Des Moines, Iowa, where he pursued the full five years' course
and from which he was graduated with the degree D. 0. in 1903. For a
time he was in Chicago, also in Toledo, but made his permanent location
in Bluffton, where he conducted a growing office practice for fourteen
years. Recognizing the opportunity and the broad usefulness of a
properly conducted institution of the kind, he then established his sani-
tarium. For this purpose he bought the old Deam residence at the corner
of Wabash and Main Streets, had it completely remodeled and adapted
for his purposes, and through this institution has since handled much of
his splendid practice.

Doctor Blackman is a member of the First Reformed Church and
has been especially helpful to the church through his talent as a
musician. He is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 14.5. Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons, and also belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter and
Council and the Bluffton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar. He is
a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Des iloines
Lodge No. 981. Politically Doctor Blackman is an independent repub-
lican.

jAMEfS S. Clabk has done his principal work in connection with the
traction companies cf Indiana, and is now secretary and general man-
ager of the Clarion & Bluffton Traction Company.

He was born at Bluffton ilareh 15, 1887, a son of D. W. and Ella
(Stewart) Clark. His father was reared in Wells County. Indiana, and
about the close of the Civil war removed to Ohio, where he remained
some years. Returning to Bluft'ton, he learned the trade of tinner and
has been steadily engaged in that line most of his active life. He
became connected with the Williamson Hardware Company at the time
that company was organized at Bluffton. His wife was born in Ohio,
but was reared in Adams County. Indiana. D. AV. Clark and wife had
four sons and two daughters : Allen W., who is agent at Bluffton for
both the traction companies : Bessie, who died at the age of three years ;
James S. ; Harry, manager of the Morris 5 and 10-cent store at Hart-
ford City, Indiana; Jennie, wife of John Tudor, of New Orleans: and
Fred, who is connected with the General Electric Company at Fort
Wayne.

James S. Clark grew U]i in his native city of Bluft'ton and secured
his early education in the grammar and high schools, following which
he worked as clerk in a grocei-y store for several years. He then took
the combined course in bookkeeping and stenography at the Indiana
Business College at Muncie, and left school to become bookkeeper and

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 501

stenographer with the ?.I;;rion and Blutfton Traction Company. He
was with that ediiipany while the lines were being built and when the
road began o])ei'al i<iii Imm^hhc auditor. He has gained a very thorough
knowledge of the Imsiiifss and was promoted to his present position
entirely on merit and etticieney.

April 19, 1908. Mr. Clark" married Cleona Watkins. She was l)orii
and reared in Wells Coimty, daughter of Joseph and .Martha Watkins.
She received most of her education in the schools of Adams County,
Indiana, ilr. and Mrs. Clark have three sons: Ralph W., aged seven;
James W., Jr., aged six ; and Joseph R., who was born in October, 1916.
The family are active members of the Presbyterian Church, in which
Mr. Clark is a deacon and an assistant superintendent of the Sunday
school. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 14.5. Free
and Accejitcd .Masmis. ami has .-.■i'\('d as sc<'i-ctai'\- of the lodge and is
also a meiiilirr i.f I'.liifrtnii I.,m1.jv NO. Di'. Kniiihl's nf I'xiliias. J^oliti-
cally he is quite aetive as a i'<>|iuhliran. Mr. and Mrs. Chirk own a com-
fortable home at the .•orner of .Market and Morgan streets.

He.xry M. Edris about six years ago entered the real estate, insurance
and farm loan business at Bluffton, and his dealings and transaenons
have been steadily growing in volume and importance until he now ranks
among the leaders in this line in Wells County.

Mr. Edris represents an old family of Wells Comity, and was born
on a farm in Rock Creek Township in October, 1868. He is a son of
Henry and Emma (Weber) Edris. Henry Edris was born in Lebanon
Couuty, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1840, and died when about forty-
seven years of age. His parents were Leonard and Elizabeth (Spitler)
Edris, both natives of Pennsylvania and of German stock. Henry Edris
wa.s an infant when his father died, and he grew up in the home of his
mother and on January 12, 1863, married iliss Emma Weber. She was
a daughter of Lawrence and Sarah (]\Ioyer) Weber, both natives of
Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Edris came
to Wells County, Indiana, locating on a farm in section 30 of Rock
Creek Township. Henry Edris cleared up his land and Ity industry and
good management developed an excellent farm, l^esidi s his 160 acres
in Wells County he owned 80 acres in Rock Creek Towiishii) of Hunt-
ington County. He and his wife were active members of the Emanuel
Reformed Church in Rock Creek Township, which had been founded by
one of his wife's relatives. Politically he was a democrat. Henry Edris
and wife had eight children: Ella, wife of Calvin Smelser, of Rock
Creek Township ; Edward, who has one of the fine farms of Rock Creek
Township; Henry ]\I. ; Aaron C, a farmer in Rock Creek Townslii]i:
Elizabeth, wife of M"x Shoenline. of Bluffton; ^lilton P.. who owns and
operates the old liomestead in Rock Creek Townshii); Harry, who is
connected with the Studebaker corporation in South Bend, Indiana;
Louis, of ^lishawaka, Indiana.

Henry M. Edris grew up on his father's farm in Rock Cre^^k Town-
ship and had the benefit of the district schools, also the public schools
of Bluffton and took a business course in Fort Wayne. Indiana. Beyond
his education and good health he had no capital with which to begin
life and he first commended himself to the business community in the
capacity of a clerk. For sixteen years he was employed at Bluffton, and
then about 1912 entered the insurance business and has developed this
line together with real estate and farm loans until his transactions cover
practically all of Wells County.

Mr. Edris married l\Iaegie Eichhorn, who was born in Rock Creek
Township, a daughter of Daniel Eidihoi'n. They have three children.

502 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Henry E. is a graduate of the Bluffton High School, was employed in
the Studabaker corporation at Bluffton a year, but in ^lay, 1917, enlisted
in the army and is now in the coast artillerj'. The second child, Dorothy,
graduated from the Blufifton High School in 1917, while Catherine is
still in the public schools. The family are members of the Reformed
Church and Mr. Edris is a democrat.

H.vRVEY Leonare Ivixs, chief engineer of the Braey Pumping Sta-
tion at Bluffton, is a veteran in the service of the oil pipe line, and has
operated in the states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, having been in the
service for more than twenty five years.

He was born in Kansas, September 29, 1871:, a son of Amos and
Emma (Arnold) Ivins. His father was a native of Indiana and his
mother of Ohio. After their marriage they removed to Illinois, then to
Kansas and finally came back to Wabash County, Indiana, and settled
near Laketon. They had three sons, the other two being Edward and
William.

Harvey L. Ivins grew up on a farm near Laketon, Indiana, attended
the common schools there, but from the age of twelve wa.s practically
making his own living. He followed farm work for a time but at the
age of fifteen found employment on a railroad section and soon after-
ward went to work for the Indiana Pipe Line.

March 17, 1897, Mr. Ivins married Emma Lantzenheiser. She was
reared in Wabash County and graduated from the common schools
there. After their marriage ilr. and ]\Irs. Ivins located in Wabash
County and he also spent a brief time in North Dakota. In November,
1898, he resumed his work with the Pipe Line Company and was soon
sent to Illinois, where he was an engineer for aljout eighteen months.
His next transfer took him to Perrjsville, Ohio, where he was in the
service of the Ohio Oil Companj' when its station was built at Perrys-
ville. Fourteen months later he was transferred to Bluffton, in 1909,
and has been chief engineer in charge of the local pumping station.

Mr. and Mrs. Ivins have two sons, Harold and Arnold, the latter
born in 1907. Harold has completed the course of the common schools.
Mr. Ivins is affliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons, and with the ilodern Woodmen of America. In poli-
tics, while his leaning is toward the democracy, he is largely independ-
ent in casting his vote. He owns a comfortable home at the southwest
corner of Ohio and Oak streets in Bluffton.

Edwin R. Kribbs. The late Edwin R. Kribbs was a well-known and
highly prosperous farmer of Wells County, who contributed his full
.share toward advancing the agricultural prosperity of his community.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, August 3. 1879, in Clarion
County, which was the lifelong home of his parents, Phillip B. and
Phalistua P. (Fulton) Kribbs.

Scholarly in his tastes and ambitions, Edwin R. Kribbs received
excellent educational advantages in his native state, attending the Penn-
sylvania State Normal School, and Reed Institute. He subsequently
taught school one term in Clarion County, and then, in 1899, came to
Wells County, Indiana, and in addition to working for a while in the
oil fields bought a half interest in a general store at Dillman. He con-
tinued his residence in Dillman initil 1915, when, with his family, he
removed to his farm in section 7, Jackson Township, assuming posses-
sion of the conveniently arranged and modernly equipped bungalow that
he had just completed and where he died Decemlier 11, 1917. Mr.
Kribbs had sixtv-scven acres of rich and fertile land, and in addition

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 503

to carrying on general farming to advantage he made a specialty of
breeding and raising Gnernsey cattle.

On September 17, 1901, Mr. Kribbs was united in marriage with Ida
May Lee, who was born in Jackson TowTiship, Wells County, Indiana,
May 4, 1885, a daughter of ex-County Commissioner, George W. Lee, and
grand-daughter of Jonathan R. and Susanna (Banter) Lee.

Jonathan R. Lee, a native of Ohio, came with his parents to Wells
County, Indiana, and having bought land in Jackson Township was
there engaged in farming and stock raising during the remainder of his
life. He was a democrat in politics and an active member of the Uni-
yersalist Church. His wife, Susanna Banter, was born in Virginia, and
died on the home farm in Jackson Township. Eight children were born
of their marriage, as follows: William, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of S.
H. Palmer; ^Margaret, widow of Phillip Elkins ; Lucy J., wife of ]\Iere-
dith Capper, of Pulaski County, Indiana ; John, of Jackson Township ;
George W., father of Mrs. Ki-ibbs ; Sarah, widow of Dr. Thomas Morris,
who moved from Indiana to Maryland ; and Mary, wife of George W.
McFarland, of Marion, Indiana.

Born and reared in Jackson Township, George W. Lee remained with
his parents until attaining his majority. Soon after his marriage he
settled in Dillman, where he has since carried on general farming witli
both profit and pleasure, at one time owning 235 acres of land in this
part of the state. He resides in Van Buren, and his son-in-law and
daughter, ]\Ir. and Jlrs. Guy Conwell, live on the home estate, which is in
an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Lee married Mai-y il. McFarland,
a native of Jackson Township, and to them six children have been born,
namely : Florence, widow of James Compton, is a resident of Warren,
Indiana; Alice, wife of David Bradstreet. of Lander, Wyoming: Ida
May, now Mrs. Kribbs ; Nora H., wife of Guy Conwell ; and two, who
died in infancy, Sydney N. and Frederick. Mr. Lee is a prominent mem-
ber of the democratic party, and has served one term as county com-
missioner. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church,
of which he has been a trustee.

Two children were born to Mr. and ilrs. Kribbs. namely: Lucille
M., born April 18, 1902, is a student of the Warren High Seliool; and
Lillian Lavelle, born November 12, 1903, is a student in the Warren
High School. Mrs. Kribbs is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at Warren as was her husband. Fraternally Mr. Kribbs was a
member, and past grand, of McNatt Lodge, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and of the Warren Encampment.

George W. Niblick is one of the. members of the prominent Niblick
family of Adams County whose activities have been transfcn-ed to
Wells County, and who is now proprietor and manager of a fine farm
in Lancaster Township, with daily mail delivery over rural route No. 5
out of Bluffton.

Mr. Niblick was bom in Kirkland Township of Adams County Sep-
tember 15. 1860. He is a son of Robert and Catherine (Hartman)
Niblick and a grandson of James Niblick, the founder of the family in
Adams County. The Niblicks were among the first dozen settlers in
that county.

James Niblick was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1801 and
was brought by his parents to America when two years of age. He grew
up in Ohio, learned the cooper's trade, and in the fall of 1834 settled on
section 6, Washington To-miship, in Adams County. For ten years
after coming to Adams County he is said to have been the only cooper
in the county. He subsequently sold his farm and moved to Decatur
and later went out to Missouri where he died in the fall of 1869. He

504 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

was twice married, liis first wife being Anna Carter and his second
wife Sarali A. Ball. There were eight children by each union.

Robert Niblick, father of George W., was born in Tuscarawas County,
Ohio, February 10, 1824, and was ten years of age when brought to
Adams County. He received only such advantages as the subscription
schools of that day afforded. After the death of his mother he was sent
back to Ohio, but finally returned to Adams County and after his mar-
riage located on a farm in Kirkland Township. This land was then
heavily covered with timber and his first home was a log cabin, with
greased paper for windows. After eleven years in that humble abode
they built a fine brick residence which was one of the best in the town-
ship. The brick and lime were burned on the Niblick farm. Robert
Niblick became a prosperous farmer and large land owner, gave away
much of his land to his children, and had a comfortable competence for
his last years. He died January 15, 1900. He was a Union soldier, a
member of Company E of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry and was with
Sherman on the march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review
at Washington. For many years he was aftiliated with Grand Army
Pest No. 69 at Decatur. He held several local offices, and for a number
of years after coming to Adams County was the only republican in his
township. In 1864 only five republican votes were cast for Lincoln in
the township. For a number of years the postoffice of Gath was kept
in the Niblick home, and his wife had charge of the local mails. Robert
Niblick man-ied April 19, 1849, Catherine H. Hartman, who was born
in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1830, a daughter of
Philip and Susanna (Hess) Hartman. The Hartman family came to
Adams County in 1840 and were also pioneer residents of Kirkland
To'vvnship. Robert Niblick and wife had ten children : James T. ;
Susan E. ; ]Mary E., deceased ; Charles B. ; Margaret, who married C.
Curan ; George W. ; Jennie ; William J., deceased ; Harvey P. : and
Anna Belle. The mother of these children died November 15. 1899.

George W. Niblick grew up on his father's farm, attended the pub-
lic schools of Kirkland Township, and since early manhood has been a
hard working and industrious citizen, active as a farmer in Adams
County, and on ilarch 26, 1911, came to his present place in Wells
County. He has his farm of eighty acres in first class condition, and
is doing a good business as a general farmer and stock raiser. ;\Ir.
Niblick is a republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.

On August 21. 1886, he married iliss Annie Lowdermilk, daughter
of Alfred and ^Mary Jane (Cox) Lowdermilk, who came from North
Carolina. Mrs. Niblick's brothers. and sisters are: David, who married
Annie Michaels ; Bert, who married Miss Stinson ; Ella, who married
William Kain ; and ilaggic married Charles Curren.

]Mr. and Mrs. Niblick are parents of the following children : Minerva
J., who married John Sarfen, of Fort Wayne; Dorcy T.. who married
Alice Liest; Sadie, who became the wife of George Loutzenhein ; Belle,
wife of Daniel Foy: Edith, who married E. Ratcliff ; Rufus, unmarried;
and ^lilo, who married Mary Dedrick.

Fay W. Cullixs is one of the recent newcomers to Wells County, but
his advent has a significance in agricultural and livestock circles, since
he has established himself as a breeder and raiser of the highest grades
of cattle and sheep, being proprietor of the CuUins Stock Farm, besides
having a verv modern dairy.

Mr. Culli'ns bought his farm of 112 acres on :\Iarch 18. 1917. It is
located 21'^ miles north of Bluffton and in situation and point of fer-

I

ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 505

tility is regarded as one of the finest farms in Lancaster Township, ilr.
Cullins' program is the breeding of standard fullblood polled Durham,
Shorthorn and Guernsey cattle and fullblood Shropshire sheep. He
has much experience in animal husbandry and is competent to guide the
operations of a stock farm and it is his intention to have the finest
available stock that it is possible to produce. Such an enterprise means
much at the present time and for the future of Wells County. Jlr. Cul-
lins has on his farm one of the largest and finest silos in Northern
Indiana, 60 feet 8 inches high, and with a capacity sufficient to furnish
silage to all the livestock on his farm.

Mr. Cullins was born in Greentown, Howard County, Indiana, ]\Iav
8, 1889, a son of Cornelius J. and :\Iartha E. (Acord) Cullins. His father
died July 22, 1910, and his mother is still living. Their children were :
Howard C, Effie B., Earl W., Annie, deceased, and Fay AV. Fay is the
only member of the family who is married. He married April 3, 1915,
Miss Cora Payton, daughter of James and Nancy Payton of Columbus,
Ohio. Mrs. Cullins has one sister, Ethel, wife of A. T. Shepard.

Jlr. Cullins is a republican, a member of the Methodist Church, and
is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

George A. Fisher. The value of George A. Fisher's citizen.sliip in
Wells County is due to the fact that for over a quarter of a century
he has occupied and diligently cultivated one of the good farms of
Union Towaiship, and with all the responsibilities of a home maker and
family provider has exercised a wholesome infiuenee in behalf of com-
munity betterment and every movement that reflects the higher and
better life of society.

This branch of the Fisher family has been known in Wells County
ever since the pioneer period. The grandparents of George A. Fisher
were Henry and Elizabeth (Crites) Fisher. Hem*y Fisher was born
in Pennsylvania, his father having come to that state from Germany.
Henry Fisher located in Ohio and beginning life with no capital but
with unlimited energy, he attained what was considered a modest for-
tune of those days. He and his wife reared a numerous family of chil-
dren in comfortable circumstances and well fitted them for the re-
sponsibilities of mature age.

The late Daniel Fisher was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June
14, 1826, went through youth as a farm boy and wisely improved all the
limited advantage of the local schools. At the age of twenty-one he
began learning the cooper's trade, and after working at it for a year
brought his modest capital to Wells County, Indiana, and located eighty
acres of wooded land in Union Township. In 1850 he married Sophia
A. Meyers and for seven years occupied the old farm in Union Township.
The first wife died July 17, 1857, the mother of three children, Henry,
Elizabeth and Margaret A. After her death Daniel Fi-sher returned to
Ids father's old homestead in Ohio, where on ilarch 25, 1859. he married
Sarah J. Schull. In April, 1859, they returned to Wells County and
kept' their home on the original farm until 1862, when it was sold and
Daniel Fisher bought 120 acres in another part of Union Township.
Later he added another forty and made that one of the excellent farm
homes of the county. Politically he was a republican and the claim was
made for him a few years ago that he had probably cast more presi-
dential votes in Wells County, at least in Union Township, than any
other citizen. He had begun voting as a whig. He was one of the real
pioneers of LTnion Township and his only neighbor when he first located
there was Jesse Crites. Each of them owned a horse and wagon and
when they went to mill they combined their horses, and one of them

506 AD.OIS AND WELLS COUNTIES

■would drive the team while the other would go ahead with an ax to clear
away the brush or other obstacles from the road. The second wife of
Daniel Fisher died on August 25, 1890. She had been an invalid for
twenty-four years. Both were active members of the Church of God.
Nine children were born to the second marriage named Emmett, Matilda,
Clara, George A., Elmer, Rachel, Burt and Delia ; Marietta died in in-
fancy.

George A. Fisher was bom on his father's farm in Union Township
May 20, 1865. The circumstances and environment of his earlj- youth
■were those of the average Indiana farm boy of that period, and he lived
at home and bent himself steadily to the Avork of the home fann until
twent,y-one years of age, then worked at the carpenter's trade for eight-
een years. He then settled on twenty acres of present farm of 120 acres
where the substantial building improvements are a credit to his O'wn
industry and productive labors. He is still carrying on a biisiness as
a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Fisher like his father is devoted
to the cause of the republican party.

On September 7, 1890, he married Miss Emma Motz, daughter of
Martin and Elizabeth Motz. They have two sons, Lawrence and Donald.
The adopted son, Harley Zion, was four years old when Mr. Fisher took
him. He lived with the family till he reached manhood and is now work-
ing on the Erie Railroad.

John C. Raber. There may have been a time when farm life in
Indiana was one of unending hardship but siich is not the case at present
especially in such sections as Rock Creek To-wnship where intelligent and
well informed people live, where expensive farm machinery is bought
and where, in many eases, the pure, invigorating air of the country per-
meates homes that have city conveniences. Farm industries will always
be among the most important in the countiy but in modern days farm
life need not necessarily be unusually laborious or isolated. Intelligent
farmers like John C. Raber, who has been a resident of "Wells County
since boyhood, can easily realize the improved conditions that have been
brought about through the enterprising efforts of such men as himself.

John C. Raber was born in Lebanon Coiinty, Pennsylvania. October
16, 1849. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth Raber, most estimable
people, who came to Wells County with their children in March, 1861.
The father's firet purchase was eighty acres and later he bought an
additional 160 acres. The land had been but slightly cleared and little
improved and hard work awaited him, hut with the help of his sous the
clearing was accomplished and excellent improvemeuts were made. The
parents both died in Rock Creek Township, the father in 1887 and the
mother in 1888. They had the following children: William, August,
Maria, Lueinda. David, John C. Eliza and Israel, there being tlirce
survivors: David, John C. and Eliza.

John C. Raber was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents
to Wells County. He had attended school in Lebanon County and after-
ward had some school opportunities in Rock Creek Township, which he
made the most of and has always been considered a well informed man.
He owns three farms, two comprising 120 acres and the home farm of
1591/1, which he got from his father. He has successfully carried on a
general farming line here and still takes general oversight although he
has sturdy sons and sons-in-law to relieve him of hard work.

Mr. Raber was mai-ried February 21, 1878, to Miss :\Iaria Lucabaugh,
who is a daughter of Henry and Mary Lucabaugh. this being an old
and substantial family of Wells County. The following children have
been born to ^Ir. and Mrs. Raber: Louis; Charles, who is deceased;

ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 507

Ada, who is tlie wife of Frank Hoflfacker, of Rock Creek Township;
Artie, who married Ernst McAfee, of Rock Creek Township ; Henry, who
married Eva McClure ; Cora, who is the wife of A. Pishbaugh, of Rock
Creek Township; Stella, who is the wife of W. Gordon; and Homer,
who married Maud Gilbert. He has always taken an interest in school
matters and has been one of the influential democrats of this section to
work for school imi^rovement. With his family Mr. Raber belongs to
the German Reformed Church.

"William Bushee. While the tilling of the soil and the raising of
stock are among the oldest industries in which man has engaged, they
have not always been profitable to those who engaged in them. Old
methods have given way to new, as conditions have changed, and the
modern farmer is a much better informed mau as to the possibilities of
his land than was his grandfather or even his father. Not many of these
opportunities are being lost by the farmers in Wells County, and in
Jefferson Township are found agriculturists of most excellent judgment,
business acumen and practical ideas, who have known how to turn these
opportunities to goocl account and have become men of independent
means thereby. One of these is William Bushee, who has spent his life
here and is one of the representative men of Jefferson Towiiship.

William Bushee was born j\Iarch 23, 1851, in Allen County, just
across the line, and is a son of Jacob and Ollie (Cave) Bushee, who were
natives of Hocking County, Ohio. W^hen William was a few months old
they came to Wells County, Indiana. The father bought 240 acres of
wild laud and set about the work of clearing, cultivating and improving,
a hard task in those daj-s but one he finally accomplished with the help
of his sons. His children were: Allen, Sarah E., William, Rhoda, James
F. and Bathilda and Matilda, twins. The father died in 1899, the mother
passing away August 25, 1896.

William Bushee attended the district schools and remained at home
as his father's main helper until he was eighteen years of age and then
started out for himself. His first farm contained thirty acres of wild
land. After clearing twenty acres and fencing it he accepted a fair offer
and sold and then purchased his present farm of fifty-one acres, which he
has magnificently improved, but recently completing the building of a
fine stucco dwelling house, which is equipped with modern comforts
and conveniences and in appearance is a credit to the neighborhood. Mr.
Bushee has been the owner of this farm for twenty-one years and through
his good management has annually increased its value. He gives his
attention to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Bushee helped clear
eighty acres in Union Township and two eighty-acre farms in Jefferson
Township and also cleared his farm where he now lives.

While not a politician in the general acceptance of the term, ilr.
Bushee is interested in political matters as becomes a good citizen. He
votes with the republican party. In his father's family the religious
home was the Presbyterian Church and he is a member of that body.
Mr. Bushee has never married.

Heebert Kasler. a mau of good business capacity and intelligence,
far-sighted, and earnest in purpose, Herbert Kasler, a well-known farmer
of Liberty Township, is identified not only with the agricultural develop-
ment of Wells County, but with one of" the leading industries of this
section of the state, being superintendent of the interests of the Holland
& St. Louis Sugar Beet Company, a responsible position which he is ably
filling. A son of Austin and Jemima (Smitli) Kasler. lie was born
December 2, 1872, in Athens County, Ohio, where his mother died several
years ago, and where his father is still living.

508 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Herbert Kasler was brought up on the home farm in Ohio and ob-
tained his education in the country schools. Leaving home at the age of
fourteen years, he came to Wells County, Indiana, in search of re-
munerative employment, and for about five years was employed on a farm
in Liberty Township, receiving for his labor eight dollars a month and his
board. Going then to ]\Iarion, Indiana, ilr. Kasler entered the rolling
mills as a furnace helper, and during the three years he was employed
in the mills mastered the details of the trade, having gradually woi'ked
his way upward through every department. After his marriage, he
worked for awhile in a saw mill, later being employed at his trade.
Returning then to Wells County, llr. Kasler worked as a farm hand five
years. Having accumulated some money, he then bought forty acres of
land in Liberty Township, and subsequently purchaseil forty acres more,
at the present time having a well-appointed farm of eighty acres, on
which he is raising satisfactory crops, his land responding readily to
cidture. Becoming sure that sugar beets would prove a profitable ci'op,
he began raising them, and others soon followed his example, the venture
proving very successful. Subsequently Mr. Kasler was chosen super-
intendent of the Holland & St. Louis Sugar Beet Company's interests
in the counties above named, and in that capacity is efficiently aiding
the development of the industry, which is of great help to the farmers of
this vicinity.

i\Ir. Kasler married iliss Minnie Cole, April 21, 1895, and of their
union five sons have been born, namely: Charles, Glenn, Rex, Max,
and Dean. The youngest son is now a pupil in the grade schools, and
the others have all attended the Liberty Center High School, from which
Glenn was graduated. ^Mr. and 'Sirs. Kasler are also rearing a boy, Leo
Cole, an orphan, and a nephew of Mrs. Kasler. Mr. Kasler and his wife
are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he is a
trustee. He is a prohibitionist, and was the nominee of his party for
sheriff of Wells County, receiving a comparatively large number of
votes.

Robert D. Ch.\lfaxt. The business of farming in Wells County
has one of its most successful exponents in Robert D. Chalfaut, whose
home is on Rural Route No. 6 out of Bluffton in Harrison Township.

ilr. Chalfant represents a very old family of the county and was
born on the family homestead in Harrison Township February 6. 1869,
a son of Reason and Catherine (Valentine) Chalfant. His father was
born in Ohio and at the age of three came to Wells County with his
parents The mother was born in Ohio and came to Wells County when
a girl, the Valentine family locating a half mile south of where Robert
D. Chalfant now has his home. The latter 's parents were married on
the old farm there, and soon located on the southwest quarter of section
25 in Harrison Township. Later they moved to a place half a mile
south of where Robert now lives, and the father was owner and operator
of 315 acres of land and was a very prosperous and infinential citizen
of his time. He was an active member of the Bethel ^lethodist Episco-
pal Church and a republican in politics. Of the six children three are
still living: Abner, of Blutfton ; Robert D. ; and Jlrs. Alice Gentes of
Harrison Township.

Robert D. Chalfant was well trained to the vocation which he has
always followed and had a good education in the local schools. He lived
at home until his marriage. Besides the district schools he attended
graded school and high school and also the Fort Wayne College, and for
two terms was a successful teacher in Harrison Township.

Mr. Chalfant married IMiss ^Marv Prillaman, daughter of Lewis

ADAMS AND WJ:LLS COU.XTIES 509

Prilliinaii, of a family noted more in detail in later paragraphs. She
was educated in the district schools and also in the schools of Blutt'ton.
Mr. and ilrs. C'halfant have three children. Fay is a graduate of the
common schools and perfected herself in music, which she taught for a
time, and is now the wife of George A. Haixk. Howard R. had a com-
mon .school education and alsjo attended the Sweeney Automobile School
at Kansas City and is an expert mechanic in the automobile line. Cleo
('. is a graduate of the common schools and is now attending Blutfton
High School.

The family are active members of the Six ilile Christian Church,
Mr. Chalfant being one of the church trustees. In politics he is a repub-
lican. As a farmer he operates 160 acres of laud and has done a good
business breeding Shropshire sheep and the better grades of hogs and
cattle.

Lewis Prillaman, father of Jlrs. Chalfant. was thirteen years of age
when he came to Wells County. He assisted his father to clear and
improve a farm, and gained his education in subscription schools. He
made good use of his opportunities and for a time was a teacher at wages
of $12 a month. On May 27, 1847, he married ]\Iarie Studabaker, daugh-
ter of William and Sarah (Thompson) Studabaker, of one of the oldest
families of this part of Indiana. After their marriage they settled on
part of his father's estate and later he bought 280 acres of the farm and
made it one of the best improved places in the county. He and his tirst
wife had the following children : Albina, deceased : ]\Iaria, widow of Philo
Rogers ; William ; Sarah J., wife of John Bixler : Lucinda. wife of
Charles Capp ; Cora Bell, wife of Fred McBride ; Caria May, wife of
R. A. Brown ; Zelda L. ; ]\Iary, wife of Mr. Chalfant : and Lewis D.
After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Prillaman married
Elizabeth M. Bayman, daughter of William Bayman. She died in Sep-
tember, 1868. September 1. 1870, he married Maria Masterson, who
died Januai-y 12, 1873. On June 1, 1885, he married Laura R. Ripple.
Lewis Prillaman was a prominent man of the county, tilled several town-
ship offices, and in 1868 was elected a county commissioner, being the
only republican ever chosen to that office in the county up to that time.
He was an active member of the Six ]\Iile Christian Church.

Isaac L. Jacobs. One of the substantial farmers and highly respected
citizens of Wells County is Isaac L. Jacobs, who has been identified
with this part of the great State of Indiana for more than forty years.
He was born in Grant Count}% Indiana, near Jalapa, in a house that
stood on the top of a high hill overlooking the ]\Iississinewa River, Feb-
ruary 18, 1853. His parents were Lorenzo D. and Hester A. (Johnson)
Jacobs. His father was born in Vermont and his mother on a farm
near the present site of the Capitol at Indianapolis, Indiana.

From Vermont Lorenzo D. Jacobs came as a young man first to Ohio
and th^n to Indiana. He was married at North ^Manchester to Hester
A. Jolmson and they then came to Grant Countv where Mr. Jacobs
entered land. At one time he owned a tract of 170 acres here and 300
acres west of the National Soldiers' Home at ^Marion, Indiana. He was
a millwright by trade and erected mills in Grant and Wabash counties,
and on his own land built a sawmill, gristmill and carding mill which he
operated until his death. Born in 1816. he died in July, 1860, and was
survived by his widow until June, 1864. Four of their children are
still living, namely : Isaac L. : Curtis E., who is a stationary engineer,
lives at Marion, Indiana ; William E., who owns a large body of land in
North Dakota, has had a family of fifteen children; and ililo E., who
is a well-to-do business man of Dallas, Texas.

510 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Isaac L. Jacobs was seven yeai's old when his father died and four
years later lost his mother also. He then took his future in his own
hands and went to work for farmers, by the month, as was the custom.
In 1875 he came to Wells County and entered the employ of A. T.
Studabaker and for a number of years remained with him, his wages at
the start being $16 a month.

JMr. Jacobs was married February 24, 1876, to iliss Lucinda C.
Truax, who was born on the farm on which she has always lived, Feb-
ruary 25, 1852. Her parents were Caleb and Sarah (Linn) Truas, the
former of whom was born in Monroe County, Ohio, February 19, 1816,
and the latter February 19, 1820. Both grew up in Monroe County and
were married there in November, 18-41, and in 1845 they came to Wells
County, Indiana. Caleb Truax entered forty acres and bought forty
acres in section 24, Harrison Township, and he improved his laud with
excellent buildings and invested in additional land. He died there in
November, 1901, his wife having passed away in July, 1883. They were
good, moral, upright people. They had three children, one daughter
and two sons, namely: Joshua, who died wheu aged eighteen years;
Kirk, who died at the age of ten years; and Lucinda C, who is Mrs.
Jacobs. The latter was educated in the East Smoky Kun School in Har-
rison Township. Mr. and ilrs. Jacobs have two sons : Leroy and Lorenzo
D., both of whom are farmers in Harrison Township, the latter operating
his father's farm. He married ^lary Bugh and they have one child,
Bernice L. Isaac L. Jacobs is a democrat in politics and has been a
hearty worker in the party but he has never accepted any political office
for himself.

Leroy Jacobs, the elder of two sons born to his parents Isaac L. and
Lucinda C. (Truax) Jacobs, is one of Harrison Township's well known
and representative men. He was born in Harrison Township, Wells
County, Indiana, September 8, 1878, and has spent his life in this
county. He attended the district schools and completed the school course
and worked for his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one
years of age. He was married March 31, 1901, to iMiss Jennie A. French,
who was also born in Harrison Township, January 14, 1878. She is a
daughter of Eli and Eliza (Risley) French, and was educated in the
public schools.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs lived on the old' Jacobs home-
stead for one year but in June, 1902, they came to JMr. Jacobs' present
farm, a valuable property of 100 acres. Here he carries on general
farming with very satisfactory results and also keeps a good grade of
stock of all kinds. On public cjuestions Mr. Jacobs takes a firm stand in
favor of prohibition and cannot help feeling that his party has had
much to do with bringing about the encouraging attitude of the public
on the question of temperance, the value of which he illustrates by lead-
ing a wholesome, honest life. Both he and estimable wife are members
of the Salem Evangelical Church in Nottingham Township, Wells
County. They are active church workers and liberal contributors to the
benevolent movements which the church undertakes.

John T. Buckner. Owning and occupying a well-kept and well-
ma*iaged farm in Liberty Townsbiii. John T. Buckner is numbered
among the intelligent and enterprisiii'_i- jizric-ulturists that are so ably
conducting the farming interests of WClls ('(uiiity, everything about his
premises indicating the energy, industrx and good judgment of the pro-
prietor. He was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, a son of William
N. Buckner, coming from pioneer stock.

Born in Bracken County, Kentucky, William N. Buckner grew to

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 511

manhood in his native state, and after his marriage settled on a farm
in Campbell County. In 1855 he came with his family to Wells County,
Indiana, and having bought land lying one mile north, and two miles
west, of Liberty Center, was there a resident until his death. He was a
steadfast democrat in politics, and both he and his wife were active
members of the Church of Christ. His wife, whose maiden name was
Amelia il. Yeton, was a native of Pendleton County, Kentucky. Their
family consisted of nine children, of whom seven are living, namely :
John T., of this sketch ; Charles, of Liberty Center ; Jane, wife of Joseph
Thrailkill, of Libei'ty Township ; Ella, living at home ; lliami, wife of
Lewis Beerbower, of Liberty Township ; N. F., of Harrison Township ;
and B. F., of Liberty Township.

Three years old when brought by his parents to Wells County, John
T. Buckner was educated in the rural schools, an^ until twenty-four
years old assisted in the management of the home farm. Beginning then
his career as an independent farmer, Jlr. Buckner bought 120 acres of
land in Liberty Township, and immediately began its improvement. It
was heavily timbered, and soon the ringing strokes of his axe could be
heard as he leveled the giants of the forest. By means of determined
energy and industry, he cleared the land, placed it in a yielding condi-
tion, and as a general farmer has met with very satisfactory success.
Mr. Buckner now owns eighty acres of laud, he having deeded forty
acres of his original tract to his daughter.

Mr. Buckner has been twice married. He married first Lorana Frib-
ble, who bore him one child, ilinnie F., wife of W. H. Day. Mr. Buck-
ner married second Mrs. Emma (Adams) Buckner, widow of Dr. G. W.
Buckner. Mrs. Buckner had two children by her first marriage : Frank,
a graduate of the local high school : and Mary, a school girl. Politically
Mr. Buckner is a democrat, and religiously he and his family are mem-
bers of the Church of Christ.

Thomas F. Schwartz. The lumber industry is one of the important
business lines at Uniondale, Wells County, and probably no other man
than Thomas F. Schwartz is so well known in the same in this vicinity.
Now manager of the Uniondale Lumber Company, he has had many
years of lumber experience and has been identified with this business
since boyhood and his judgment in this particular field is considered that
of an expert.

Thomas F. Schwartz is a native of Wells County, Indiana, born
December 5, 1876, and is a son of Levi and Harriet (Farling) Schwartz,
both of whom were born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The father sur-
vives and resides in Rock Creek Township, Wells Comity, but the
mother is deceased. They had seven children, the survivors being:
Edward, who resides in Rock Creek Township, married Mary Luca-
baugh ; Annie, who is the wife of Albert Price, of Rock Creek Township ;
Effa, who is the wife of Orbe Davis, of Union Township ; ilargaret, who
lives with her father ; and Thomas F.

Until he was fifteen years old, Thomas -F. Schwartz attended the
public schools. He then went to work in a sawmill, beginning with a
boy's tasks, at the bottom of the ladder. He found that he liked the
business and continued to be associated with lumber, in various capacities
until he accepted the position of manager of the Uniondale Lumber
Company, a large concern that has interests over a wide territory, and
much of its effectiveness is due to the ability and efficiency of ilr.
Schwartz.

Mr. Schwartz was married to ]Miss Lulu ^leyers. who is a daughter
of Leonard Meyers, a well known resident of Markle, Huntington

512 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

County, Indiana. They have one daughter, Harriet Jean, who was born
in 1916. Mr. and ]Mrs. Schwartz are members of the Lutheran Church
and are interested in its various avenues of usefulness. In polities he
is a democrat, and for many years has been a member of the ilasonic
fraternity.

Capolis Laird Blue, 'SI. D. One of the most instructive and enter-
taining personal .sketches found in this publication is that dealing with
the life and experiences and career of the venerable M. C. Blue. Some
appropriate space must also be devoted to his son. Dr. Capolis Laird,
who for many years has been a prominent physician in Wells County
and is especially honored and respected in his home locality of Tocsin
in Jefferson Township.

Doctor Blue was'born in Jefferson Township of Wells County Decem-
ber 16, 1868. He grew up. on his father's farm, was educated in the
district schools, also attended the Ossian graded schools and spent three
years in the Ossian High School. Before completing his high school
course he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business
College at Valparaiso, where he took work in preparation for teaching
and also graduated from the business department, on February 24,
1891. With this schooling he returned to his father's home, taught two
terms, and then entered the School of Pharmacy at Chicago, where he
graduated with the class of 1895. From there he entered the Fort Wayne
Medical College, and at the end of three years graduated M. D. in the
.spring of 1898 and in the same class with Dr. Fred Metts of Bluft'ton.

Thus for twenty years Doctor Blue's skill, learning, growing expe-
rience and fine natural ability have been at the service of the people and
of a constantly enlarging patronage in and around Tocsin. He has
always remained a student and has been growing in his own capabilities
in proportion to his widening practice. In 1901 he took post-graduate
work in the Chicago Pol.vclinic and is a constant reader of the best
literature of his profession, both periodical and the standard works,
most of which are found in his own private library. Doctor Blue is a
member of the Wells County and Indiana State iledical Societies, the
Fort Wayne Academy of Medicine and the American ^Medical Associa-
tion. He has filled the office of deputy health officer of Wells County.

Doctor Blue is a prominent ]\Iason, being affiliated with Bluft'ton
Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and with Fort Wayne Con-
sist-^rv of the Thirty-sefond degree Scottish Rite. He is also affiliated
with Tocsin Lodge of the Knights of Pythias and Tocsin Camp of the
Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a democrat but his
time has been too thoroughly taken up with the work of his profession
and with other matters to allow him to enter the field of politics to any
extent.

On June 8, 1904, Doctor Blue married Nettie Clowser, daughter of
Isaac and Maria (Randall) Clowser of Lancaster Township, Wells
County, ilrs. Blue has a bi-other and sisters named : Clara, wife of
Walter Reed: Ira, unmarried: Alta, wife of Shirley Haitman ; and
Velma, who married Alvin Troutman of Bluft'ton. Doctor and ^Irs.
Blue have two children: Elizabeth Leone, born October 12, 1905: and
Miles Clair, born April 20, 1910.

Charles Chalfant is a member of an old family in Harrison Town-
ship of Wells County, where the peojile of that name have lived since
Wells County was almost a total wilderness of woods and swamp. Mr.
Chalfant has for thirty years been pursuing his regular calling as a
farmer and stockman ancl has a highly developed farm comprising the
west half of the northeast quarter section 35.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 513

He was born not far from his present residence on January 27, 1856.
His parents were Robert and Alary (Meliek) Clialfant. Robert Chal-
fant was born in Ohio and came to Wells County with his father, Chads
Chalfant, the family settling on land where Charles Gentis now lives.
At that time Harrison Township was completely covered with heavy
timber and the grandfather exerted his energies as a pioneer to cut down
the trees, grub the stumps and put his land into a state of cultivation.
He lived out his life in this community. Robert Chalfant grew up here,
made the best of his advantages in the early schools, and took up the
same vocation as his father, buying a tract of land adjoining the old
homestead. He lived there until his death. He was a very regular
attendant and a worshiper in the services of the Bethel Methodist
Episcopal Church. There were four children in the family: Charles;
Nathan, of Harrison Township; Henry, now deceased: and Frank, who
lives on the old farm.

Charles Chalfant while a lioy attended school in the Myers Chapel
school house. He was trained to his future vocation by discipline on
the home farm and he lived with his parents until his marriage in 18S6
to Jliss Laura Hill. She was born in Ohio and was brought to Wells
County when a girl.

After their marriage ]\Ir. and ilrs. Chalfant located on the farm thoy
still own, and this is widely known as the Sunnyside Farm. ]\Ir. Chal-
fant has always kept good grades of livestock and feeds most of his crops
on his own farm. He is also interested in a threshing outfit.

He and his wife, who have no children, are membei's of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Ricetown, Indiana. Politically he is a republican
with only a nominal interest in politics.

George W. Taber. A prominent agriculturist, and an extensive
landholder of Wells County, George W. Taber, of Liberty Township, is
a man of influence, having ever been the encourager and supporter of
all pro.iects calculated to benefit his community, and is held in high
esteem by his fellow-citizens. A native of Indiana, he was born in Jasper
County April 8, 1877.

His father, 0. P. Taber, was born and bred in New Yoi*k State, and
there at the age of nineteen years he took unto himself a wife. Coming
soon after that important event to Indiana, he rented a farm in Jasper
County, and in addition to farming worked at the carpenter's trade, as a
contractor and builder, erecting a schoolhouse in the township. Subse-
quently he engaged in the grain business at Remington, where he built
two of the finest elevators in that section of the state. While thus occu-
pied, ^e clitained a good start in life, and afterwards as a contractor in tlie
graveling of roads he accumulated a handsome property, at his death,
November 22, 1915, leaving an estate valued at about $80,000. He was
an active member of the republican party, and served as county com-
missioner of Jasper County three terms, a record of service not equalled
by any other man. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias, and was
active in the work of the lodge. He married Fannie J. Taminey. of New
York State, who passed away August 20, 1899. Five children were born
of their nnion, three of whom are living now, in 1918, as follows : George
W. ; Lois R., a graduate of the Remington High School, is the wife of
Dr. P. J. Pothuis,je, of Denver, Colorado, now serving in the United
States Army, being lieutenant of his company ; and Albert P., of Bluff-
ton, who is also a graduate of the Remington High School.

Reared on a farm, and educated in the Remington graded and high
schools, George W. Taber remained under the paren.tal roof-tree until
his marriage. Assuming possession then of his present farm, which is

514 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

located on the Gi'egg Pike, three and a half miles west of Bluffton, he
has since been actively engaged iu farming, stock breeding, stock rais-
ing and stock feeding, making a specialty of Hereford cattle. He also
feeds some hogs and ships them and the cattle in car loads receiving
invariably the highest market price. Mr. Taber has 200 acres of laud in
his home place, in Liberty Township, and 80 acres of good land in Rock
Creek Township.

Mr. Taber married June 28, 1903, Etta M. Pugh, who was born in
White County, Indiana, and was graduated from the Woleott High
School. Their union has been brightened by the birth of four children,
namely: Oliver P., born May 8, 1904; Alden P., born May 21, 1907;
Mary Jane, born June 3, 1910, and ilartha Renette, born August 29,
1915. I\Irs. Taber is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically Mr. Taber is a republican, and fraternally he is a member
of Blutfton Lodge No. 92, Kuights of Pj-thias.

David S. Johnson. A fine represeiitative of the native born citizens
of ^Yells County, David S. Johnson holds high rank among the pros-
perous agriculturists of Liberty Township, where he is carrying on
general fanning, with unquestioned ability, his propertj' being numbered
among the valuable and well-kept estates of the vicinity. A sou of the
late Rev. Abel Johnson, he was born on the farm he now owns and occu-
pies, December 16, 1857.

Rev. Abel Johnson wa.s born and bred in Pennsylvania, and as a
young man came to Indiana first living in Huntington Coiinty and then
coming to Wells County. Locating in Liberty Township, he bought 240
acres of land lying one mile south of Liberty Center, and began its
improvement. He was widely knowai as the founder of the Baptist
Church at Liberty Center, and for many years served as its pastor. He
married Sarah Smith, a native of Ohio, and of their ten children five
are living, as follows: Thomas, living near Sioux City, Iowa; B. F.,
of Crawfordsville, Indiana, was formerly state statistician ; A. J., of
Liberty Township ; jMary, widow of James Cotton, lives in New Castle,
Indiana; and David S., the subject of this sketch.

Growing to man's estate on the home farm, David S. Johnson
attended the district schools regularly when young, and until his mar-
riage assisted in the care of the liome farm, and later, his father
removing to Liberty Center, he assumed entire charge of the parental
estate, which consisted of 240 acres of good land. Mr. Johnson has since
purchased eighty acres of the old farm and is managing it with char-
acteristic skill and success.

Mr. Johnson married Mary B. Russell, a daughter of James L. and
Elizabeth (Deam) Russell, neither of whom are now living. 'Sir. and
Mrs. Johnson have four children, namely : Harry, a farmer in Liberty
Township; Mre. Olive Davis, a widow, living in Bluffton; Homer, a
graduate of the Liberty Center High School, now engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits in Liberty Township, and Everett, a graduate of the
same school, is now traveling for a Chicago hardware firm. ]\Ir. John-
son is a man of financial ability, and one of the stockholders of the
Liberty Center Deposit Bank. He is a republican in politics, and both
he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is
serving as deacon.

Jacob J. Neff. Representative of the enterprising and worthy
agriculturists of Wells County, Jacob J. Neff is meeting with marked
success in his free and independent occupation, his land being in an
admirable state of culture, owing to the sound judgment and pei-sistent

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 515

energ-.y with which he lias devoted himself to its management. He was
bora October 28, 1850, in Athens County, Ohio, a son of John Neff.

His gi-andfather, Jacob Neff, was born and educated in Germany,
and there married Anna Barbara Copp. Immigrating to this counti-y
prior to the Kevolutionary war, he settled in Franklin County, Penn-
sylvania, and there spent his remaining days.

John Neii' was born on the home farm in Franklin County, Penn-
sylvania, April 4, 1793. After the death of his father, and while yet a
young man. he migrated with his mother and one sister to Fai'rlield
County, Ohio, where he lived for a year. Moving from there to Athens
County, Ohio, he took up wild land, and on the farm that he improved
remained until January, 1865. Coming then to Wells County, this
state, he located in Harrison Township, on section 18, where he fol-
lowed farming until his death, March 19, 1872. He was a democrat in
politics and loyal .to the interests of his party. He married May 28,
1827, in Fairfield County, Ohio, Catherine Neff, a native of Somerset
County, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of John Neff, who emigrated
from Germany to the LTnited States and sulisequeutly served as a soldier
in the War of 1812. She died on the home farm on the ver,y same day
that her husband died, her death occurring within six hours of his,
and both were buried in one grave. They were a most estimable couple,
and devoted to each other, never after their marriage having been
separated from one another more than twenty-four hours at a time.
Nine children blessed their union, as follows : Levi, who died in Blufifton
in 1884 ; Anna B. ; JIargaret E., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Fried-
line ; Mary ilagdaline, deceased ; Amelia and Sarah, twins, both
deceased; Catherine, deceased, was the wife of Adam Bartemaly. Jacob
J., and Caroline, wife of George Higman. Both parents were faithful
members of the Presbyterian Church.

Fifteen years of age when he came with the family to Harrison
Township, Wells County, Jacob J. Neff assisted his father in the
improvement of the home farm, which is located two and a half miles
southwest of Bluffton. Succeeding to the ownership of the property, he
is carrying on general farming with highly satisfactory results, being
one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community,
owning forty acres.

Mr. Neff married, August 5, 1880, Sarah M. Zirkle, who was boru in
New Haven, West Virginia, April 1, 1844, a daughter of Noah and
Nancy (Baumgartner) Zirkle, who settled in Wells County in 1880.
She died October 14, 1885, leaving two children, Louisa Mav and
Clara V.

Louisa May Neff, born September 1, 1881, has been twice married.
On March 5, 1898, she married Chai-les E. Sellers, who died October 31,
1902, leaving her with one son. Charles E. Sellers, born February 19,
1902. Mrs. Sellers married for her second husband, in 1904, William
H. Gilbert of Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and their only
child, Martha M. Gilbert, was born March 29, 1905.

Clara V. Neff, born January 15, 1884, married, December 22, 1901,
Oscar W. Lane, and thev are the parents of three children, Leona Mae,
born November 16, 1902"; Eva Eloise, born April 18, 1904; and :\Iary E.,
liorn ;\Iay 23, 1908. A steadfast democrat in politics, Mr. Neff has been
active in party ranks, and has served as superintendent of the good
roads in Harrison Township. He is a valued member of the Praij'ie
Methodist Episcopal Church to which his wife also belongs.

Francis Marion Buckner has for a number of years carried hea^y
business responsibilities, as a banker, stockman, fanner, and his own

516 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

career and that of his family deserve special mention in any history
of Wells County.

Mr. Bnekuer was born in Liberty Township, this county, October 9,
1867, and is a son of William N. and Amelia M. (Yelton) Buckner.
Both parents are now deceased.

The late William N. Buckner was born in Bracken County, Ken-
tucky, September 13, 1827, a son of Thomas and Matilda (Hanson)
Buckner, also natives of Kentucky. Thomas Buckner was a son of
Philip and Tabitha Buckner, the former a native of Virginia and the
latter of Maryland. William N. Buckner spent his early life on a farm,
attended a log cabin subscription school, and on January 15, 1851,
married ]Miss Amelia M. Yelton, also a native of Kentucky and daughter
of Charles and Amelia (Gosney) Yelton, the former a native of Virginia.
William N. Buckner came to Wells County from Kentucky in 1855 and
bought forty acres of heavily timbered land in section 16 of Liberty
Township. Later he bought eighty acres in section IS, and cleared and
improved this and from the fruits of his prosperity built up a fine estate
comprising over half a section of land. He was an active democrat and
he and his wife were members of the Disciples Church. Thev had nine
children : John T. ; Charles N. ; Millie J., widow of Joseph Tharilkill ;
Missouri E., who has never married ; jMartha Ann, now deceased, who
married Byron H. Prible ; George W., who graduated from a veterinary
college of New York City and is now deceased ; Miami M., wife of Louis
Beerbower of Liberty Township ; Francis Marion ; and Benjamin F., a
resident of Liberty Township.

Francis M. Buckner has had a very busy and strenuous career. He
spent his early life on his father's farm, attended the district schools
and also spent some time in Purdue University studying veterinary sur-
gery and taking the agricultural course. For ten terms he was a success-
ful teacher in the district schools of Liberty, Rock Creek and Harrison
townships.

Mr. Buckner married Miss Stella Doster, the only living daughter of
the late Dr. Hezekiah Doster. Mrs. Buckner is a graduate of the Bluffton
High School, and is a woman of many talents and more than ordinary
abilities, and with all her duties at home has cultivated those interests
and studious occupations which keep a woman in close touch with the
social life around her. She was also a teacher for ten terms. ^Ir. and
Mrs. Buckner have three children. George D., born April 7, 1892, grad-
uated from the Bluft'ton High School, took the degree A. B. from the
LTniversity of Indiana in 1916. and is now a student in the Indiana
Medical College of Indianapolis, and a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Dale, the second child, bom Sep-
tember 21, 1895, is a graduate of the Bluffton High School, now teaching
■ at Poneto, and married February 13. 1918, Arch S. Davis. Joy F. is a
graduate of the Bluffton High School and is now a student in the State
University.

Dr. Hezekiah Doster, father of Mrs. Buckner, was bom in Somerset-
shire, England, July 6, 1843, and died May 10, 1910. He came to the
United States with his parents in July. 1848, and became a resident of
Wells County, Indiana, in August, 1852. In addition to his advantages
in the common schools he attended a high school known as Liber College
near Portland in Jay County, Indiana, from 1860 to 1865, and taught in
the intervals of his student career. In 1865 he began the study of
medicine at Bluffton and in 1867 entered the medical department of the
University of Michigan and in 1868 received his M. D. degree
from tlie" Western Reserve Medical College of Ohio. In that year
he began his country practice in the southern part of Wells county. In

ADAMS AND AYELLS COUXTIES 517

1871 he received a diploma from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College
of New York. For manj^ years he was successfully engaged in looking
after a large country practice in and around Ponetoaud at the same time
managed a large farm. This farm comprised over five hundred acres,
and an imusual feature of it in early times was a large artificial lake well
stocked with fish. Doctor Doster married September 27, 1866, Sarepta
Tewksbury, who was born October 2, 1846, a daughter of Simeon Tewks-
bury. The two daughters of this union were Stella, bom October 19,
1867, now the wife of Mr. Buckner, and Victoria, born November 19,
1883, and now deceased.

ilr. Buckner and family have the responsibility of cultivating and
managing seven hundred acres of land in Nottingham and Harrison town-
ships. The Doster farms have long been noted for their fine livestock.
Mr. Buckner breeds and raises the standard Percheron horses, the Short-
horn cattle, the Oxford Down sheep, and handles the better grades of
hogs. He has laid out a race track for the training of his harness race
horses. Mr. Buckner was one of the active organizers of the Bank of
Poneto in 1912. He has always been vice president and active head of
the institution. Jlr. and Mr.s. Buckner are members of the Chestei'field
Camp of the Spiritualists in Madison County.

John C. De.vm. Perhaps there is no better way for the younger gen-
eration interested in Wells County to be brought to realize what has
been accomplished in the way of civilization, than to contrast conditions
and opportunities that met the Deam family when they came here in
1844 and the present. They were among the early pioneers of Jeffer-
son Township, and ever since have made their lives a useful part of
this section, and have been closely identified with its development from
a wilderness into a richly cultivated and enormously productive part of
the county.

John C. Deam, who is one of the substantial men and representative
citizens of Jefi'erson Townsliip, was born in this to^\Tiship, July 9, 1847.
His parents were James and Ruth (McDowell) Deam, natives of Penn-
sylvania, where the father was born in 1820 and the mother in 1822.
They were young people when they came to Indiana and were married
in Wells County in 1844. Nine children were born to them as follows :
Elizabeth, who married Robert Crowl of Wells County, Indiana, and
they now live in Kansas; John C. ; Catherine, who is the ^vidow of Alfred
Mills, lives in Jefferson Township: Sarah Belle, who married Thomas
Murphy of Ohio; ilary, who married George Stover, lives at Fort
Wayne ; Emma, who is the wife of John King of Jefferson Township ;
George, whose wife, ^lalinda Arnold, is now deceased; Adam, who mar-
ried Elizabeth Bradigan, lives in Michigan ; and ^Madison, who is de-
ceased. The father of the above family died in January, 1884, and the
mother died in February, 1886. When they came first to Jefferson Town-
ship they settled on a tract of 160 acres of wild land. James Deam worked
hard until that land was cleared and somewhat improved and then
bought 400 acres. To the clearing and improving of that land he
devoted the rest of his active life. He possessed industry, perseverance
and thrift and in the course of years accumulated large means. He was
one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in tliis section.

John C. Deam has mainly spent his life in Jefferson Township and
during the greater part of it has lieen extensively engaged in agricultural
pirrsuits. He is one of the large landowners in this section, his home
farm, on which he settled in January, 1879, containing 240 acres, and
he owns another fann of eighty acres, which is occupied by his son,
Charles. The most of this land has been cleared and put under cultiva-

518 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

tioii by Mr. Deam and in its fine appearance and productiveness there
is evidence that the work has been done thoroughly. He lias erected
comfortable and substantial buildings and they add much to the air of
prosperity that prevails. General farming and stockraising have been
the well directed industries.

Mr. Deam was married to Miss Maiy Beardsley. Her parents were
Calvin and Elizabeth Beardsley, old residents of Ossiau, now both
deceased. The brothers and sister of ]Mrs. Deam were : Isadore, Augusta,
Charles and ilonterville, all of whom are deceased. She has one half
sister and one half brother. ;\Iaud and Lee.

Mr. and Mrs. Deam have eight children, namely : Grace, who is the
widow of Bert Archibald, resides at Uniondale; Lulu, who is the wife
of Wilson Hoopengarner of Jefl'erson Township ; Warner, who married
Lia Gay of Florida ; Charles, who is a prosperous farmer in Jefferson
Township, married Sarah Travis; Clarion, who is principal of the De-
catur High School, married Luella Nigg; Augusta, who is the wife of
Homer E. Bash of ilarion, Indiana; Areta, who is the wife of Vane
Boon of Bluff ton; and Hugh, who resides at home. The eldest child,
Cressy, died at the age of five years.

Mr. Deam is a prominent factor in the democratic party in this sec-
tion and for four years has been county councilman. He is one of the
directors of the Ossian State Bank, and for twenty years has been a
ti;ustee of the Presbyterian Church at Ossian. Through a long and busy
life ilr. Deam has had many experiences and perhaps few are better
informed concerning early days in Jefferson County.

Christ A. Neuenschwander. Much of the history of the village
of Berne in Adams County revolves around the name and activities of
Christ A. Neuenschwander. Mr. Neuen.schwander has lived in that old
Mennonite community of Adams County for over half a century, has
been prominent in the church, moral activities and civic life, and has
also supplied some of the enterprise for the business. He is one of the
founders of the Bank of Berne, incorporated in 1891. He was one of
the first board of directors, in 1893 was made vice president, and since
October, 1906, has been president of the institution.

Mr. Neuenschwander had been a member of the Berne community
about five years when, in 1871, the tracks of the Grand Rapids and
Indiana Railway were constructed through Adams County. In August
of that year the first town lot \yas sold, the purchaser being T. P. Harris,
who erected a frame building 20x45 feet, part of which was used for a
general store and part for a residence. At that time Mr. Neuenschwan-
der was employed as a cheese maker at a factory about a mile from
Berne. He remembers when the first train ran over the railroad, con-
sisting of one freight car and one passenger car, drawn by a locomotive
burning wood as fuel. He personally knew both the conductor and
engineer.

In 1872 Mr. Neuenschwander moved to the village, and with others
established a general store on the present site of the People's State
Bank. This store flourished and developed a large trade throughout
the country. In 1880 Mr. Neuenschwander bought a farm of eighty
acres south of the village limits, put on most of the improvements and by
the purchase of an additional forty acres developed a good farm in that
community. To this he gave much of his time and energies until De-
cember, 1915, when he retired to his present home in the village of
Berne. ' In 1904 Mr. Neuenschwander became a stockholder in the local
electric light plant and since 1905 has been one of its directors.

Like many other pioneer families of this part of Adams County Mr.

C. A. XKinXSCIIWAXllKR

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 519

Neiiensc'lnvaiider is a native of Switzerland. He was liorn in Canton
Berne on the ridge of the Jura Mountains August 21, 1849. He has an
authentie record of six generations of the family history in the old
country. These various families, including his grajidfather, spent all
their lives in Switzerland. They early became identitied with the Meu-
nonite Church. Mr. Neuenschwander is a son of Aliraham and Catherine
(Zurfluh) Neuenschwander. lie was the oldest of their children and the
only one still living when, in 1852, the little family embarked .m a small
sailing vessel at Havre, France, with about fifty other Swi-s .(iluiiists.
For forty-three days they were driving across the ocean wa\ rs and tinally
lauded at New York, going on to Wayne County, Ohio. They left
Switzerland March 4, 1852, and were two months and two days in
reaching Ohio. In W^ayne County the Neuenschwanders lived for only
a few months, and then went to Riley Township of Putnam County,
Ohio. On a farm there the mother died in 1865 at the age of thirty-
eight. In 1866 Abraham Neuenschwander brought his children to Adams
County locating on a farm in Monroe Township. Hei-e he spent the re-
mainder of his long career and died in January, 1904. when nearly
seventy-four years of age. As a citizen he began voting as a democrat
but later became a republican.

Christ A. Neuenschwander inai'ried a neighbor girl in Adams County,
Miss Anna Stautfer. She was born in Monroe Township of Adams
County in 1855, a daughter of Christian and Verena (HabcuLivi- 1 stauf-
fer. Her father was Ijorn in Alsace and her mother in Switzcilaiul.
Both had been married before and, as widow and widower, they were
married in Adams County. After their marriage they settled on a
160 acre farm which they cleared up, and the father died in Monroe
Township in January, 1892, when nearly ninety years of age. His
widow survived him some time, and was seventy-four when she passed
away. Both were birthright members of the Mennonite Church. Mrs.
Neuenschwander was one of twins and of a family of six children, all
now married and having children of their own.

Mr. and Mrs. Neuenschwander were married in the fall of 1875.
Most of their children are now in independent activities and have homes
of their own. Their names are: Ella, Menno, Elmer, Wesley, Leon,
Meta, Selma, and Edna. All are active members of th? Mennonite
Church. Mr. Neuenschwander has been a deacon of the church for
twenty years, and since December, 1877, has served as secretary of the
Sunday school. In niatters of politics he is independent.

Irvin W. Wasson, vice president and acting cashier of the State
Bank of Tocsin, is not only a native son of Wells County, but is member
of a family that has lived here from jiioneer times, a period of ovi-r
three-quarters of a century.

The Wassons are of Irish aneesti-y. The great-grandfather was
Alexander Wasson, who spent all his life in Ireland. A son of Alex-
ander. George, grandfather of the Tocsin banker, was born in Ireland
and married there Sarah Ash. About 1829 they came to the United
States, and after a brief residence in Stark County moved to Wayne
County, Ohio, and in 1841 brought their family to AYells County, In-
diana, and established a wilderness home in section 11 of Lancaster
Township. George Wasson also entered 160 acres of government land
in section 1 of Lancaster Town.ship. He endured all the privations and
hardships of the real pioneer. He acquired a large amount of property,
all of which represented the fruits of his own labors. He has been
characterized as a splendid manager, a man of strong personality and
thoroughly respected for honesty and integrity. He was an active mem-

520 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

ber and supporter of the United Presbyterian Cliureli. His useful life
terminated in death in 1855. He was survived by a widow and five
children, and his widow passed away in 1895 at the advanced age of
ninety years. Their children were named John, Eliza J., Isabella, James
and Thomas M.

James Wasson, father of Irvin W., was born in Wayne County, Ohio,
April 2, 1841, and was about six mouths old when his parents came
to Wells County, Indiana. He grew up in the woods, in a log cabin
home, and became experienced in all the arts and crafts of the pioneer
days. He attended subscription schools, and spent a wholesome, vigor-
ous youtli. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G of the 101st Indiana
Infantry. He made a most creditable record while in the army. In the
first engagement in which he participated, March 20, 1863, in Tennessee,
he was struck in the leg by a musket ball and was in a hospital recover-
ing from the wound for two months. After rejoining his command he
was in the campaigns through Eastern Tennessee, and at Chickamauga
was again wounded and was captured by the enemy. He was a prisoner
at Richmond, Virginia, forty days until exchanged, and was unable
to re.ioin his command until February, 1864. He received his honorable
discharge in June, 1864. On account of the wounds received in the
army he was unfitted for the duties of a farmer after returning home,
and after a period of attendance at school he became a teacher and for
eight years devoted most of his time to educational work.

In 1871, after his marriage, he moved to a farm in Lancaster Town-
ship, and in the course of years made that one of the most beautiful and
attractive places of its size in the county. He cleared about fifty acres,
introduced a thorough system of drainage, and proved himself a most
capable and methodical agriculturist. His first home there, erected in
1874, was destroyed by fire in 1895, and was replaced by one of the
most complete and convenient country homes in the townsliip. He also
built large barns and always kept pace with every step of progress in
farming and stock raising. As a democrat he became active in local
affairs, served several j-ears as assessor and also a trustee of Lancaster
Township. He became affiliated with the Grand Army Post at Bluff-
ton and he and his wife were prominent members of the United Breth-
ren Church.

James Wa.sson married November 16, 1870, Miss Sarah Sweeney.
She was bom in Wayne County, Ohio, February 12, 1845, daughter of
Robert and Sarah Sweene.y, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father died
in Ohio, July 30, 1858. and her mother in 1860. Mrs. James Wasson,
who was one of a large family of thirteen children, was well educated
and at the age of nineteen began work as a teacher and taught for six
years in Wayne and Knox Counties, Ohio. In 1868 she came to visit
her sister in Wells County, Indiana, and from that time until her mar-
riage taught in Lancaster Township, and while teaching became ac-
quainted with ]\Ir. James Wasson, who was also then a teacher. Mr. and
Mrs. James Wasson both taught school in one of the districts of Lan-
caster Township, and two of their sons were teachers in the same place.
They became the parents of three children : Margaret A., who was born
on December 18, 1871, and is the widow of Frank Garton; George R.,
born July 6, 1875, and Irvin W.

Irvin W. Wasson was born in Lancaster Town.ship, November 23,
1878. He grew up in a home of culture and of high ideals, gained a
good education, and for a time was a teacher. Subsequently he took up
farming, and he still owns forty acres of land in Lancaster Township,
which he bought in 1900. In 1901 Mr. Wasson left farming and entered
the hardware business for eighteen months. In January, 1911. he en-

ADA]\IS AND WELLS COUNTIES 521

gaged in the banking business at Tocsin and has since l)een vice presi-
dent and acting cashier of the State Bank of that town.

On August 21, 1901, Mr. Wasson married Miss Etta Sowards, who
was horn in Wells County. She has a brother, James, who married Ida
Schaffer, and a sister, Minnie, wife of William Kleinknecht of Lan-
caster Township. Mr. and Mrs. Wasson have three children: Wendell
J., aged thirteen; Opal, aged six; and Gladys, aged three years.

William R. Smith is a native of Wells County, a farmer by train-
ing and early experience, and is now doing much to make successful
the Poneto Farmers Elevator Company, of which he is active manager.
This is an incorporated business, and some of the best known citizens
of Poneto are connected with it as ofScers and stockholders. The presi-
dent is J. P. Munsey; vice president. T. F. Shoemaker: treasurer, J. W.
Cook : secretary, W. A. Huffman, and the directors are H. B. Lancaster,
Jesse Heman, J. W. Wells, T. F. Grove and E. N. Castle.

Mr. Smith was born on a farm a half mile north of Poneto, Novem-
ber 20, 1873, a son of Ben,iamin P. and Eliza (Davenport) Smith. His
father was born in Fairfield County. Ohio, October 25, 1839, a son of
Simon B. and Martha A. (Hoskinson) Smith. Simon B. Smith was a
native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and at an early age
accompanied his mother and stepfather to Ohio and subsequentlj-, after
reaching his ma.iority, came into the wilderness of Wells County, In-
diana, and bought land in Section 31 of Harrison Township. He set-
tled there with his family in 1844. The land was all in the woods, and
it was only after many years of heavy toil that he cleared up and de-
veloped his quarter section. He lived there until his death in 1888, his
wife passing away in 1891. Simon Smith was a democrat, filled the
office of justice of the peace many years, and bore a reputation for
sterling integrity and very thorough business ability. By trade he was
a blacksmith. He was very active in the United Brethren Church. The
ten children of his family were : Sarah, Benjamin P., Michael, William,
Phoebe, Louisa, Fred, Minerva. Elzina and Simon.

Benjamin P. Smith was five years of age when his parents arrived
in Wells County on October 18, 1844. He grew up on the old home-
stead, cultivated his mind and body by the heavy work of the woods
and the fields, and attended some of the old time subscription schools.
In 1870 he married Eliza Davenport, who was born in Wells County in
1851, and was a woman of excellent education and had been a school
teacher before her man-iage. Benjamin P. Smith spent his last days
in Oklahoma, where he died January 25. 1908. The mother died August
12, 1908. She was a native of Chester Township of Wells County.

William R. Smith is the only living child of his parents. His sister,
Jlartha, was born in 1876 and died in 1881. Mr. Smith grew up on the
home farm, attended the local schools, and was a progressive and suc-
cessful farmer on the old homestead until he was thirty-three years of
age. He then entered business in connection with the Farmers Elevator
Company at Poneto, and now gives practically all his time to the buying
and handling of the immense quantities of grain that go to market
through that institution.

Mr. Smith married Mary E. Huffman, who was reared and educated
in this county and is a daughter of William and ^lary E. (Barton)
Huffman. Mr. and Jlrs. Smith have one daughter, Ruth, born Jlay 21,
1902, and now a student in the Bluffton High School. :\Ir. Smith is
affiliated with Poneto Lodge No. 752, Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, and with the Encampment at Bluffton, and is a past noble grand,
past chief patriarch of the order. Politically he is a democrat.

522 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

George F. Christman. Closely identified with the agricultural and
industrial affairs of Wells County, George F. Christman is pleasantly
located in Liberty Township, where he is profitably engaged in general
farming on the old Christman estate, which he is managing with ability
and success. His parents, Frederick and Catherine (Grossman) Christ-
man, were born and bred in Germany, and from there came to the
United States, settling in Bluffton.

Frederick Christman served an apprenticeship a.t the baker's trade
in the fatherland, and after coming to Bluffton was employed as a
baker. Beginning life in this new home without other means than
strong hands, a willing heart, and an unlimited amount of courage and
energy, he labored with a will, and by means of thrift accumulated
considerable wealth. When able to afford it, he erected the Christman
Block, just east of the McFarren Block, and there successfully con-
ducted a bakery and a restaurant for many years, continuing in busi-
ness in Bluffton until his death. He also made other wise investments,
including the purchase of the farm in Liberty Township, now occupied
by his son, George. His wife survived him, dying at the home of her
son, George. They were the parents of three children, as follows:
Frank, living in Indianapolis; John, who died in 1885; and George F.

Brought up in Bluffton. George F. Christman was educated in the
public schools, and as a young man assisted in the improvement of the
farm which he now occupies. After his marriage, he assumed the man-
agement of its 120 acres, and is now carrying on general farming in a
systematic and scientific manner, under his judicious care his land
being as rich and productive as any to be found in the locality.

On October 2. 1882, Mr. Christman was united in marriage with
Mary A. Masterson. A daughter of William and Maria (Paron) IMas-
terson, she was born, February 28, 1863, in Harrison Township, Wells
County, her home haviner been near Murray. Of the union of "Slv. and
Mrs. Christman, five children have been born, of whom one. the fourth
child in succession of birth, is dead, and four are living, namely ; ]\Iaude,
at home : Jennie, wife of V. 0. Bender, livins: on the home farm ; Hazel,
at home; and Chloe, also at home. In his political affiliations "Sir. Christ-
man is a steadfast democrat.

George T. Woodward. One of the early families to settle in Wells
County was one that came from Trumbull Countv. Ohio, named Wood-
ward, and this family has been continuously identified with the best
interests of Jefferson Township for the past sixty-three years. The
present head of the family is George T. Woodward, who is one of the
successful farmers and representative citizens of this section.

George T. Woodward was born on his present farm in Jefferson
Township, October 26, 1855. His parents were A. AV. and Jlary (Brick-
. ley) Woodward, who were born, reared and married in Trumbull
County, Ohio. In 1850 they came to Indiana and settled on a tract of
eiffhtv acres, near Greenwood. The land had been partly cleared and
Mr. Woodward completed the clearing, but in 1854 sold to another set-
tler and moved to another farm in Jefferson Township. Wells County.
For a number of years hard work burdened him, but he was a man
of great industry and he persevered until his fine estate was not only
cleared, but well improved. Air. and Airs. Woodward were widely
known and highly esteemed. Their last days were spent in great com-
fort with children and grandchildren around them. Air. W'oodward
died July 18. 1906, his wife having passed away in Alarch, 1898. The
following children were born to them: Loretta, who is the wife of
George AVasson of Union Township, AA'clls County ; Olive Orlina. who

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 523

became the wife of William Beatty of Ossian. Indiana: Laura, who was
married first to William Wilkin, and second, to Dr. William Beatty;
George T. ; Samantha E., who married L. T. Fryback; William, who
married Mai-y J. Goshorn; John, who married Dora McBride, and they
live in Union Township; Wilson A., who married Ella Somers, is a
farmer in Jefferson Township ; and Alda, who is the wife of E. E. Derr
of Ossian, Indiana.

George T. W^oodward was reared on the old homestead which is
now his own property. He obtained his education in the schools of
Jefferson Township and has always taken a great interest in the same
and has given his own children school advantages in District No. 13,
Jefferson Township. His life work has been carrying on farm industries
on the homestead, which he inherited when his father died. He owns
160 acres, which he devotes to general farming and stock raising. He
as made many excellent improvements, in the way of commodious and
substantial buildings, and an air of thrift prevails that indicates good
management, ilr. Woodward was married in Decembei-, ]cS79, to iliss
Mary J. Glass, who is a daughter of James W. and Eebecea Glass, for
many years people of prominence in Wells County. The father of Mrs.
Woodward came with his family to this county in 1845 and lived here
until his death, on ^lareh 14, 1909. He. like the Woodwards, was
identified with the development of this section. His wife, the mother
of I\Irs. Woodward, died January 11, 1880. They had children as
follows: ]Mary J., who is ^Mrs. Woodward; Dorcas ; Jennie, who is
deceased ; Catherine, who married Horace Henry ; James, who married
Ida Archibald: Frank, who married Cora McBride; and JIarion.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have eight children, namely: Clinton,
who lives in Jefferson Township, married Eva Mills; Alva, who is a
resident of Wolf Lake, Indiana, married Lucile Foster: Irene, who
lives at Decatur, Michigan, is the wife of Gilpin Osborn, who is in busi-
ness there ; Dorcas, who is the wife of Jesse Newhard, living in Georgia ;
Alice, who is the wife of Hassel Mahnensmith ; Annis, who is the wife
of Edgar Hunter of Jefferson Township; Alda. who is a student in
the Indiana State University; and Roscoe, at home. ]\Ir. Woodward
and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and they are not
only active in their church connection, but also in the pleasant neigh-
borhood social life, where good feeling and hospitality prevail. Mr.
Woodward has always given his political su]iport to the principles and
candidates of the democratic party.

P.VTRiCK CuRE.AN. Busily employed in one of the most important
of all occupations, Patrick Curran, a well-known farmer of Liberty-
Township, Wells County, has displayed excellent .iudgment in his un-
dertakings, and in addition to being a successful tiller of the soil is
profitably engaged in stock raising. A son of John and Elizabeth
(Fliiig) Curran, he was born April 22, 1852, in Hocking County, Ohio,
of Irish ancestry.

His grandfather, Michael Curran. was born and reared in Ireland.
After his marriage, he came with his wife to the United States, locating
first in Pennsylvania. ^Migrating to Oliio a few years later, he s^^ttlcd
permanently in Perry County, and th<>rc continued a resident the re-
mainder of his life.

Born in Pennsylvania, John Curran grew to manhood in Perry
County, Ohio, where he began the battle of life as a tiller of the soil.
After his marriage to Elizabeth Fling, he bought land in Hocking
County, Ohio, and on the homestead which he cleared and improved
spent his remaining days. He was the fath(n' of fifteen children, of

524 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

whom the following named are now, in 1917, living: John, of Ohio;
Patrick, of whom we write ; ilary, living in Ohio : Douglas, of Columbus,
Ohio; Sarah, wife of Daniel Harseh of Lancaster Township, Wells
County: Francis M. of Hocking County, Ohio; James, residing in Ohio;
and Alexander of Hocking County, Ohio.

Brought up in his native county, Patrick Curran was educated in
the district schools, and until twenty-one years of age remained beneath
the parental roof-tre«. Finding employment then on a near-by farm,
he worked for one man for five years, a record of service bearing evi-
dence of his industry and fidelity. About three years after his mar-
riage, Mr. Curran came to Indiana in search of a favorable place in
which to invest his hard-earned savings. Locating in Wells County,
he bought eighty acres of land in Liberty Township, and immediately
assumed its possession. The ma.ior part of it was heavily timbered at
the time, but by energetic and well-directed toil he has since cleared
and improved his present handsome estate, and is prosperouslj' engaged
in farming and stock raising.

Mr. Curran married, September 28, 1876, IMargaret Eckhart, a
native of Hocking County, Ohio, and into their home two children have
been born, namel.v : Charles, who married Maggie Laudermilk, has nine
children, Thelma, Vaughn, Devona, Harold, Neoma. Waneta, Jannette,
Mildred, and Mary; and Orpha, a pupil in the Liberty Center High
School. Charles is manager of an elevator in Liberty Center. Politic-
ally Mr. Curran is an earnest supporter of the principles of the demo-
''ratic party. Fraternally he belongs to Liberty Center Lodge No. 747,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously 'Sir. and ^Irs. Curran
are members of the IMethodist Protestant Church at Liberty Center.

N. E. Wait. A well-known and I'espected citizen of Liberty Town-
ship, Wells County, N. E. Wait is a representative agriculturist of
this section of the state, his fine and well appointed farm giving sub-
stantial evidence of the excellent care and skill with which it is man-
aged, and of the thrift and prosperity of its owner. A son of William
Wait, he was born in Pulaski County, Indiana, June 2, 1854, and was
there bred and educated.

William Wait was born and reared in Ohio. Coming from there to
Indiana in 1841, he took up a homestead claim in Pulaski County, and
in the years that followed cleared and improved the farm upon which
he and his wife spent their last yeai's. He married, in Pulaski County,
Susan Justice, a native of Pennsylvania, and of their five children three
are living, as follows : Jennie A., wife of Ira JMaddox of ^Marshal
County, Indiana : Mary L., wife of Joseph Brooks of Starke County,
Indiana : and N. E., the special subject of this brief sketch.

After completing his studies in the public schools. N. E. Wait
worked with his father on the home farm, and finding the occupation
congenial to his tastes, as well as profitable, he concluded to adopt it,
and began his career as a farmer in Miami County. He subsequently
spent a year in North Dakota, but not liking the country, ilr. Wait re-
turned to Indiana, and settled in Wells County. After living for awhile
on the first farm that he bought, he sold out, and bought ninety-two acres
of land in Liberty Town.ship. and in its improvement has taken much
pride and pleasure, his estate in its appointments and improvements
comparing favorably with any in the locality.

Mr. Wait married Emma Sands, who was born in Pennsylvania, but
was brought up in Pula.ski County, Indiana, where her parents settled
when .she was a girl. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have three children, namely:
William H., living at home; Calvert, who is married, and lives at Fort

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 525

Wayne : aud Jesse D., also married, and a resident of Fort Wayne.
Politically Mr. Wait is a republican, and religiously he and his wife are
members of the United Brethren Church.

Ernest E. Thompson. Numbered among the progressive agricul-
turists of Wells County, Ernest E. Thompson of Liberty Township is
the owner of a fine aud well-appointed farm, which is now iu an ad-
mirable state of cultivation, and, owing to the sound judgment and
persistent energy with which he has devoted himself to its management,
is a valuable piece of property. He is a native, and to the "manner
born," his birth having occurred November 11, 1869, on the farm of his
father, Robert H. Thompson.

His paternal grandfather, John H. Thompson, was born in Virginia,
wdiere his father, Ebenezer Thompson, located on coming to America
from Scotland, his native country. He married Jlary Thompson, who
was born in Kentucky, a daughter of James Thompson, a native of Vir-
ginia. A few years after his marriage, he came with his family to In-
diana, and having entered from the Government 320 acres of land in
Huntington County, was there actively engaged in its improvement
until his death. He reared twelve children, of whom Robert H. was
the fifth son in succession of birth, and the seventh child.

Robert H. Thompson was born January 10, 1840, in Bracken County,
Kentucky, and at the age of eight months was brought by his parents
to Huntington County, Indiana, where he was reared and educated. He
assisted his father during the days of his boyhood and youth in clearing
the home farm, remaining beneath the parental roof tree until the out-
break of the Civil war.

Enlisting, August 28, 1861, in Company C, Thirty-fourth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, Roljert H. Thompson went with his regiment to
Camp Wiekliffe, Kentucky, from there proceeding to New Madrid, Alis-
souri. He was subsequently sent with his command to Reddlesport,
and was later located in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunate enough to
lose his eye-sight, he spent ten months in the Good Samaritan Eye and
Ear Sanitarium, at St. Louis, and on leaving that institution went to
Jetit'erson Barracks, where, on April 4, 1864, he was honorably dis-
charged from the service. The ensuing three years, being unable to
pursue any vocation, he remained at home. Recovering his health, he
came, soon after his marriage, to Wells County, settling in Liberty
Township, where he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land, aud at
once began its improvement. He succeeded well in his eft'orts. by dint
of hard labor converting his many acres into one of the best farms of
the township, and also becoming owner, by purchase, of two other val-
uable tracts of land. Since retiring from active pursuits, he has made
his home in Warren, Indiana, where he is now enjoying a well-earned
leisure. He is a stanch republican in politics, and a member of the
Christian Church, to which his wife also belonged.

Robert H. Thompson married. February 20, 1867, Eliza C. Stroup, a
daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Oldaper) Stroup, who came from High-
land County, Ohio, to Indiana in 1842. and settled in Huntington
County. Siie was born in Salmon Township, Huntington County, In-
diana, and died September 10, 1910, in Liberty Township. They were
the parents of seven children, as follows: Laura G., deceased; Ernest
E., the subject of this brief sketch ; Alfred P. ; Annie IM., deceased ; John
J., deceased ; Arman E., deceased : and Robert M., deceased.

Brought up on the home farm, and educated in the district schools,
Ernest E. Thompson has succeeded to the ancestral occupation. Pros-
perity has seemingly smiled on his every effort, his farm of 262 acres

526 ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES

being advantageously located in Liberty Township, where he has spent
his entire life.

Mr. Thompson married, ;\Iay 2, 1891, Etta ^I. Burman, a daughter
of George W. Burman of "Warren, Indiana. Four children have blessed
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Thomp.son, namely; Mabel, a graduate of
the Liberty Center High School, is the wife of Don G. Merrinian ; Ches-
ter, also a graduate of Liberty Center High School; Beulah, a high
school student; and Kenneth. Having never swerved from tlie political
faith in which he was reared. Mr. Thompson is a straight-forward repub-
lican. He is serving as a deacon in the Baptist Church, of which both
he and his wife are consistent members. Fraternally Mr. Thompson is
a member of Liberty Center Lodge No. 747, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.

Joseph W. W.\rxer has actively followed the vocation of farming
for a great many years, and represents a family name that has been
identified with Wells County seventy-five years. Mr. Warner's fine
country home is in section 26, Harrison Township, on Rural Route
No. 2 out of Blufifton.

He was born on the same section Septemlier 26, 1863. a son of
Amos and ^Martha E. (Cabburn) Warner. His father was born near
Circleville, Ohio, in 1840, and was brought by his parents to Wells
County, Indiana, in 1842. He became a man of property and of in-
fluence and lived a long and active career imtil his death in April.
1913. He was active in the Bethel ilethodist Episcopal Church and
served as superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary for two years,
1871-72. His wife was born on section 26 of Harrison Township and
died April 11, 1893. Their two children were Joseph W. and Sarah E.,
now deceased, who was ]\Irs. Lewis Arnold.

Joseph W. Warner grew up on the old homestead farm, attended
the common schools of Blufifton. spent two years in the Portland Normal
School in 1887-88 and completed the course in oratory. His early am-
bition was to become a lawyer, but circumstances and other things
caused him eventually to settle down to farming, and in that voca-
tion he has made an honorable success. Mr. AVarner has done much
in the breeding of Chester White and Poland China hogs, and also
handles a numlicr of Durham cattle. His farm comprises 121 acres of
land.

He mfirried ^liss Ennna ]Myevs. daughter of J. C. Myers. She was
educated in the district schools of the county. After their marriage ilr.
and Mrs. Warner settled down to farming on the home where they
still live. Five children were bom to them: Howard, Clarence, Lelia,
Earl and Mary. Howard is now a locomotive fireman with a run out
of Chicago over the Baltimore & Ohio Road. Clarence has finished his
education in the common schools, while the other children are still at-
tending school.

Mr. Warner h-\s done much in behalf of the democratic party in
Wells Countv and has been called upon as a speaker and has made
campaign addresses in nearly every locality of the county. At one time
he was a candidate for representative in the Legislature.

John W. B.\y. Owning and occupying a well improved farm in
Liberty Township, John W. Bay has been intimately associated with the
agricultural affairs of this part of Wells County for many years, and
since attaining manhood has contributed, as a successful farmer, his full
share toward the welfare of the community in which he has spent his
life, his birth having occurred here September 11, 1861.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 527

William H. Bay, his father, a native of Indiana, came to Wells
County in early manhood, and engaged in farming. After his marriage
he bought land in Liberty Township, and immediately began the improve-
ment of the estate now owned and occupied by his son John. Successful
as an agriculturist, he remained here, an esteemed and respected citizen
until his death in 1901. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Shoe-
maker, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and as a girl came with her
parents to Liberty Township, Wells County, where she married. She
passed to the life beyond on August 2, 1917. They were the parents of
eight children, namely: John W., the special subject of this brief
sketch; Rosa, wife of George Rife, of Bluffton, Wells County; Mollie,
wife of John Gordon; Charles, of Bluft'ton; Lydia, wife of Charles B.
Gavin, of Liberty Township; Edward H., of the same tov.'nshi|) ; Rarhel;
and Rebecca, wife of Charles Dalrymple.

Brought ujD on the parental homestead, John W. Bay received ample
opportunities for obtaining a good common school education, and after
completing his studies assisted his father in the management of the farm,
which he subsequently rented for a few years. Finding the occupation
congenial as well as profitable, ilr. Bay has continued a tiller of the soil.
'He is a skillful and prartii-iil Inrmei'. s\stematic and thorough in his
methods, and, needlfss to s:i\ . is n\i\\r prdsperous. He is a loyal repub-
lican in polities, and fraienially is a inniilier of Bluifton Lodge, Loyal
Order of Moose.

Mr. Bay married Effic J. Thompson, and they have one child, Hen-
rietta R., wife of Marion C. Bohr. ]\Ir. and ^Irs. Bohr are living with
Mr. Bay ; they are the parents of four children, John, Russell, Ruth and
Catherine.

Fraxk C. Garrett has long enjoyed a substantial position in the
conununity of Liberty Township of Wells County, where he has spent
practically all the years of his life, and in the last ten or fifteen years
especially has become more than locally known as a successful breeder
and raiser of the big type of Poland China hogs. He has a fine farm,
well adapted for his special purposes of stock raising.

Mr. Garrett was born on a farm in Liberty Township July 11, 1866,
a son of Noah and Leah (Funk) Garrett. His father was in many ways
a distinguished citizen of Wells County. Born in Mahoning County,
Ohio, December 17, 1839, oldest son of Joseph Garrett, he had only the
advantages of the common schools and at the age of sixteen began learn-
ing the carpenter's trade. His apprenticeship consisted of six years,
after which he became successful as a contractor and tniildor. In
January, 1861, he removed to Indiana, and a year of so later brought his
family "to Wells County. On December 25, 1860, he marri-nl Miss Leah
Funk, of Wayne County, Ohio, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth
(Rouch) Funk. On coming to Wells County Noah Garrett bought eighty
acres of timber laud for !);800. He paid $300 in cash and employed him-
self at his trade to pay the balance. For a number of years he continued
farming in connection with his mechanical industry, and as his resources
and experience grew likewise his success seemed to multiplv. He was a
splendid judge of live stock, very cajialilc in handling them, and in the
course of time he had a farm of 330 ai-rrs, all hiuhly improved. For a
brief time he served in the Civil war, enlist Ihl;- ( tctober 30, 1864, in Com-
pany A of the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry. He saw some of the hard
fighting toward the close of Sherman's brilliant campaign through
Georgia and the Carolinas. and was a participant in the battles of Kings-
ton and Goldsboro, North Carolina. He remained with the army until the
surrender of Johnston's army, and was honorably discharged at Louis-

528 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

ville, Kentueky, July 21, 1865. Noah Gan-ett was an active republican
and he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. For a number
of years he was a member of the Shorthorn Association of Wells County.
He -and his wife had four children : I. V. Lester, deceased ; Alice, wife
of Alonzo F. Rittenhouse ; Frank C, and Walter 0., of Liberty Center,
Indiana.

Frank C. Garrett grew up on a farm adjoining the one which he now
owns, acquired his education in the local district schools, and since attain-
ing manhood has found his energies fully employed with his business as a
farmer and stockman. He followed the example of his father as a factor
in the livestock industry, and for the past fifteen years has specialized
with high grade Poland China hogs. Every year he has had a sale of his
animals, and from these fifteen sales his stock has been distributed and
served to raise the standard of good swine industry throughout this sec-
tion of Indiana. Mr. Garrett is a stockholder in the Keystone Bank and
is a director in the Farmers Insurance Company. His farm comprises
120 acres in Liberty Township. Mr. Garrett is a republican in polities,
and he and his family are members of the Baptist Church in Liberty
Center.

On January 31, 1888, he married Miss Elizabeth Boltin. She was
born in Liberty Township of Wells County. Mrs. Garrett is the daughter
of Wm. J. and Mary A. (Richardson) Boltin. The mother was born in
Ohio and the father in Wells County, Indiana, ilr. Boltin died Sep-
tember, 1914, aged seventy-three years. His wife is living, being sixty-
nine years of age, at Liberty Center, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett
have had five children, namely: Lola M., wife of H. H. Ellis; Alonzo B.,
who is married and living in Huntington County, Indiana ; Flo, who died
at the age of three and a half years ; N. ilount, and ]\Iary A.

James A. Brothertox. Widely known and highly respected, not
only as a representative agi'iculturist of Wells County, but as a veteran
of the Civil war, James A. Brotherton, of Liberty Township, owns and
occupies an attractive and well-cultivated farm l.ving one mile south and
one mile east of Liberty Center. A son of John Brotherton, he was born
in Chester Township, Wells County. Indiana, October 23, 1842.

John Brotherton, a native of North Carolina, was taken by his parents
to Ohio when yoimg, and there grew up and was educated. Soon after
his marriage he bought land in Darke County, that state, and for several
seasons was employed as a tiller of the soil. Disposing of his Ohio
property, he came to Indiana and bought 180 acres of land in Chester
Township, Wells County, where he lived for fifteen years. Selling out
then, he went to Wisconsin on a prospecting trip, and on the way home
died, his death occurring at Fort Wayne, Indiana. He married, in Ohio,
Mary West, who was born in Kentucky. She accompanied him to Wis-
consin, and after his death she returned to Wells County and spent her
last years in this locality.

In early manhood. James A. Brotherton, inspired by patriotic ardor,
enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in
which he sei-ved bravely for four years, five months and twenty days.
Taking part in many battles, he was twice slightly wounded, first at Port
Gibson and later at' Champion Hill. On February 3. 1866. at Browns-
ville, Texas, he was mustered out of service. Returning home, Mr. Brother-
ton began his career as an agi'iculturist, and is now the owner of a well-
tilled and productive farm of ninety-nine acres, well located in Liberty
Township, as previously mentioned.

On December 27, 1868, Mr. Brotherton married Elizabeth Penrod,
a native of Wells Countv, Indiana, and of the three children born of

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 529

their union, none is now living. Politically Mr. Brothertou^s a repub-
lican, and socially he is a member of Lew Daily Post No. 33, Grand
Army of the Eepublic, an organization in which he is much interested.

Samuel J. Jackson. This is the name of one of the oldest residents
of Liberty Township, "Wells County. The Jackson family have been
here fully eighty years. It would be a difficult matter to estimate and
appreciate all the substantial work accomplished by a single family of
such industrious people as the Jacksons in four-score years. IMany
acres of land were cleared of timber and brush. Lowlands were drained,
the soil was made to produce the crops which sustained mankind, homes
have been built, and innumerable other services have gone into the
composite activities which make Wells County what it is today.

The old home of Samuel J. Jackson is a mile north of Liberty Center.
He was born three miles east of Muncie in Delaware County, Indiana,
January 4, 1834, a son of James and Elizabeth (Hooker) Jackson.
James Jackson was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, a son of
Samuel and Hannah (Gibson) Jackson, both of whom spent their lives
in Stokes County. That interesting section of western North Carolina
furnished a large migration to the northwest and particularly to Indiana
in tlie early part of the last century. From his home on the eastern
side of the Alleghenies James Jackson came first to Ohio, married near
Dayton, and from there moved into Delaware County, and in January,
1837, arrived in Wells County, locating in Liberty Tovraship. Here in
the wilderness he entered a half section of land, built a log cabin and
undertook all the work and the experiences which were part of pioneer
life in this county. James Jackson died in Wells County December 8,
1853, and his wife in 1865. They had nine children, six sons and three
daughters, of whom Sanuiel J. is the only one now living, and he has
long since passed the age of four-score. He was just three years of age
when the family moved to Wells County, and his first recollections are
of this region when few people were living here and when it was a
strictly pioneer country. Doubtless his recollections extend back over
a longer period than any other living resident. There was no trans-
portation except by road through the woods for years after he came,
and he was a mature man when the first railroad was built through this
county. As a boy his advantages were only those of the subscription
schools. In 1856 he made an interesting trip to what was then the far
west, to the territory of Nebraska, which then occupied a large place in
the public mind because of the struggle over the Kansas-Nebraska bill
which was soon to precipitate civil war. He remained in the west only
about nine months, and then returned to Wells County and on October
29, 1857, married Miss Sarah Foust. She is a sister of Adam Foust of
Warren, Indiana. Mrs. Jackson was born in Highland County, Ohio,
April 9, 1834, a daughter of Jonathan and Anna Foust.

In November, 1857, after his marriage, Mr. Jackson settled on a
farm in Liberty Township, and then followed many industrious years
of toil and enterprise as a farmer and also as a merchant and man of
affairs in and around Liberty Center. In 1862 he responded to the
needs of his country and enlisted in Company E of the Seventy-fifth
Indiana Infantry. He remained in service practically three years until
the close of the war, and was mustered out at Washington in June, 1865.
He and his good wife became the parents of nine children, and five are
still living, James N., Amos L., Charles W., Rachel R. and Ida. The
family are all members of the Christian Church at Warren, and Samuel
J. Jackson has steadily supported republican candidates and principles
since the formation of the party back in 1856.

530 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

James U. Jackson, his sou, is a prominent business man of Liberty
Center and for many years has been the leading lumberman of that
locality. He was born iu Liberty Township October 13, 1858, gi-ew up
on a farm until he was past fourteen years of age, at which date his father
bought a store at Libei-ty Center. ]Mr. Jackson worked in the store
while attending school. He finished his education in tlie Bluft'ton
Normal, and for two terms was a teacher in Liberty Township. For a
long period of years he has been a lumber dealer at Liberty Center, but
has many other interests. He has a farm of eighty acres, and is one of
the directors of the Liberty Center Deposit Bank. "

On January 16, 1892, ilr. Jackson married Sabina AV. Smitli. They
have five children : Cecil W., who is married and lives iu Liberty
Center; Paul C, unmarried, and now attending an aviation school at
Austin, Texas; Ethel, at home; Charles W., in the United States army
service at Camp Grant, Illinois, and Ruth, at home. The family are
members of the Baptist Church and ]\Ir. Jackson is one of its trustees.
Politically he has always supported the principles and policies of the
republican party.

AViLLiAJi H. Thojipsox. Actively and industriously engaged iu the
prosecution of a calling upon which not only our own country, but
nations abroad are largely dependent. William H. Thompson is success-
fully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wells County, having a well
improved and well managed farm in Liberty Town-ship. A native of
Lidiana, he was born in Henry County, December 14, 1853, coming of
old Virginia stock on both sides of the house.

His father, Nathan Thompson, was born and reared in Virginia.
Following the march of civilization westward, he came with his young
wife to Indiana soon after his marriage, and after living a while in
Henry County located in Wells Count.y, where he remained until the
close of the Civil war, in which he served for a year, belonging to an
Indiana regiment. He then spent a short time in Henry County, but
returned to Wells County and engaged in general farming. He died
at the Soldiers' Home, iu ]\Iariou, Indiana. He married Amanda Sho-
walter, a native of Virginia, and to them eight children were born, as
follows: William H., of this brief sketch; Bathena El'en, wife of
Thomas McCormack; J. Henry, living in Michigan: EfSe Jane, wife of
Edward Smith, of Warren, Indiana; Charles Franklin, of Illiiiois, and
three children that have passed to the life beyond.

Brought up in Wells County, William H. Thompson obtained his
early education in the district schools, and early in life engaged in
farming. He began farming for himself in Harrison Township, Wells
County, but subsequently bought forty acres of land iu Liberty Town-
ship, where he has since been pleasantly and profitably engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits, making a specialty of truck farming in which he is
an expert.

Mr. Thompson married, February 15, 18T4, 'Shuy B. Sark. She
was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 3, 1855, a daughter of
Jacob Sark who came with his family to Wells County, this state, in
1864, settling in Nottingham Townsliip. Nine children have been born
of the union of ilr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely : Cora Alice, wife of
William Tiinmons; Bruce A., of St. Louis. Missouri; William Edward,
living in Kansas: Fred A., of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Verna M.. living
at Fort Wayne; Elyie E., also of Fort Wayne: Bessie B., wife of Ray-
mond Kiser, of Michigan; Arlie C, deceased, and Delia, who died in
childhood. Politically Mr. Thompson is identified with the republican
party. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the German

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 531

Reformed Church at Bluft'ton. Fraternally he belongs to Bluffton
, Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men.

George W. Goodspeed has handled his affairs as a fanner and Inisi-
ness man with good judgment and in the course of many years has
developed a fine farm and made himself a citizen of substance and
influence in Wells County. His present farm of 193 acres is three miles
southwest of Bluffton on Rural Route No. 7. Mr. Goodspeed grows all
the staple crops of this region and has also made it a point to keep good
grades of live stock, which supply the chief revenue from his business.

He was born in Athens County, Ohio, January 12, 1861, a son of Ira
B. and Harriet (Armitage) Goodspeed.

Ira B. Goodspeed, one of the prominent old time citizens of Wells
County, was born in Athens County, Ohio, April 13, 1827, a son of
Nathan and Thankful (Holwey) Goodspeed, both natives of Massachu-
setts. Nathan Goodspeed was born June 9, 1795, and was the pioneer
settler in southern Ohio. About the close of the Civil war Nathan Good-
speed came to Wells County, and died there January 7, 186C. His wife
passed away August 19, 1874. Ira B. Goodspeed grew up on a farm in
Ohio, and on IMarch 25, 1860, married iliss Harriet N. Armitage, a
native of Athens Count.y and a daughter of George and Maria (Ward)
Armitage, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wash-
ington County, Ohio. Ira Goodspeed continued farming in his native
county after his marriage until the fall of 1865, when he followed his
parents to Wells County and bought eighty acres of the land now
occupied by his son George W. After about two years he moved to
Nathan Goodspeed 's old farm and took care of his widowed mother.
Later he bought the 120 acres of the old farm from the other heirs and
developed that into a high class farm. This old home was in section 18
of Harrison Township. Ira B. Goodspeed and wife had three sons and
one daughter: Thankful 0., who died February 14, 1873, at the age
of twenty-three; George W. ; Francis ^I., a farmer in Liberty Town-
ship, who married Hannah Bell Markley, and Daniel, of Bluffton.

George W. Goodspeed has lived in Wells County since he was about
four years of age, and his entire active career has been spent either on
his father's old farm or in the home where he can now be found. He
attended the Travisville School, but at the age of eighteen went to farm-
ing. ]\Ir. Goodspeed married, October 15, 1891, Gertrude Johnstone.
She was educated largely at Warsaw, Indiana, and came to Bluffton
when a young woman. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Goodspeed
rented the 120 acre farm of his father for twelve years and afterward
purchased a place three miles from Bluffton. Mrs. Goodspeed is an
active member of the Prairie ^Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics
Mr. Goodspeed is a republican. They have three children. Hazel is a
graduate of the common schools and attended Bluffton High School,
and is now the wife of Ross Lockwood of Chester Township. Beryl also
completed the course of the common schools and is the wife of Jesse
Johnston of Swayzee, Indiana. Paul, the youngest of the family,
attended the Bluffton High School.

Joseph P. Lockwood. Of the agriculturists of Wells County who
lay claim to the title of l)eing self-made, few have better right to this
distinction than has Joseph P. Lockwood. When he started upon his
career it was as a worker in the oil fields, but his energies and ambitions
would not allow him to remain a wage-earner, and he gradually devel-
oped into a landholder and eventually into one of the substantial agri-
culturists of his community. He is now the owner of 310 acres of well
Vol. n— 6

532 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

cultivated land in Nottingham Township, practically all of which has
come to him as a result of his own efforts.

Mr. Lockwood was born on a farm in Nottingham Township, Wells
County, Indiana, three-quarters of a mile from where he now resides,
February 1, 1868, and is a son of James E. and Frances A. (Block)
Lockwood. His parents, who still live in this township, are farming
people, and Joseph P. Lockwood was reared to the pursuits of farming,
his education being secured in the district schools. When still a young
man he secured employment in the oil fields as a driller, a vocation at
which he woi-ked during a period of four years, but after his marriage
bought twenty acres of land, a part of his father's farm, and began mar-
ried life in an old log house. In the meantime he continued to work in
the oil fields, in various capacities, even being a producer for a short
period, but finally found that his agi'icultural interests had grown to
such an extent that they needed his entire attention and he accordingly
gave up other matters for them. His original twenty acres he sold for
another property of a like acreage, on which he made his home until
1902, when he bought forty acres in Harrison Township. This he later
sold and returned to Nottingham Township, where he has since enjoyed
the best of prosperity, and now is the owner of 310 acres of land. He
has a splendid set of farm buildings, machinery and equipment of the
most modern character, and other improvements that are valuable, and
his entire prosperity evidences the good management and ability of the
owner. As a citizen he stands high in his community, and has always
been a supporter of good enterprises and beneficial movements. Mr.
Lockwood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is serving
on the board of trustees.

On November 25, 1888, Mr. Lockwood was married to Hepsey A.
Stevens, who was born in Ohio and brought as a child by her parents to
Wells county, where she was educated in the public schools. They
became the parents of ten children, as follows; Ross, Bertha, Virgil,
Edwin, Harry, Cecil, Grace, Stella. Ralph and Lawrence. Cecil Lock-
wood, a graduate of the Petroleum High School, is now cashier of the
State Farmers Bank of Keystone, Indiana.

Orin D. Garrett. Who he is. what he does and some measure of
his influence hardly requires a statement in Wells County when the
name of 0. D. Garrett is mentioned. However, for the benefit of the
few who are not personally acquainted with his achievements it may be
said that he is a farmer and stock buyer owning one of the best country
homes near Liberty Center.

It was in April", 1862, when 0. D. Garrett was six months old and a
little too young to be conscious of his environment, that the Garrett
family .journeyed out of Ashland Coiinty, Ohio, into Wells County,
Indiana, and made settlement in Liberty Township. Orin D. Garrett
was born in the Ohio county named on October 22, 1861, being the
youngest child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ciphers) Garrett, the former
a native of ^Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Joseph Garrett
was born in 1814 and died in 1887, and his wife was born in 1824 and
died in 1896. Both were of German ancestry. They married in Ohio
and when they removed to Wells County their oldest child. Frank W.,
now Dr. Frank W. of Liberty Center, was six years old, and the second
in the family was Amanda, three years old. She is now the wife of Dr.
Isaac A. Smith of Huntington County, Indiana.

Joseph Garrett and wife located on a farm a mile south of Liberty
Center known as the Garrett Homestead. Both parents were devoted
members of the Baptist Church. In this part of the country 0. D. Gar-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 53:^

rett received his education and grew to manhood assisting his father
on the farm until he was twenty-one. His early education was acquired
in the liberty Center public schools. About the time he reached his
majoritj' his parents removed to Liberty Center, and the complete
management of the farm devolved upon him. That was no small
responsibility for a man of his years, and while sacrificing his long
cherished plans to secure an advanced education, his faithfulness to
duty kept him constant, and there was no question in his own mind or
of members of the family that he would ever fail. His progressive ideas,
fideLity, coupled with a cheerful disposition and kind consideration for
"the other fellow," were rapidly bringing him the practical knowledge
that is always a credit to the self-made business man.

In February. 1883, ]\Ir. Garrett married Miss Hattie Noe, daughter
of David and Harriet Noe of Chester Township, Wells County. Before
her marriage she was one of the eoimty's successful school teachers.
In 1904 the home of the husband and two daughters was broken by the
mother's death resiilting from creeping paralysis.

While Mr. Garrett has always placed farming first and owns 345
acres in Wells and Huntington counties, yet for thirty years he has
been an active live stock shipper and is still engaged in the business
with the firm of Garrett & Gordon of Liberty Center. Among other
business interests he has been a road contractor, building extensively in
Wells and Huntington counties. He is one of the directors of the Studa-
baker Grain & Seed Company of Bluffton, is president of the Garrett-
Turpin Lumber Company of Mississippi, a company that manufactures
lumber from its own tract of eighteen hundred acres of timber in the
Yazoo Valley.

The capable handling of public affairs and offices also comes natural
to ]\Ir. Garrett. From 1886 to 1891 he was township assessor and in
1910 served as county chairman for the republican party. In 1906 he
was elected county auditor, and thus far in the political history of
Wells County has the unique distinction of being the only republican
elected to this office.

On January 1, 1908, he took his office and the following June he
married Miss Marguerite Arthelda Bixler, daughter of Rev. and Mrs.
William Bixler of Akron, Ohio. Mrs. Garrett, with her two sisters,
Eva, wife of Warren Jenks of North Manchester, Indiana, and Betty,
wife of 0. G. Schrop of Akron, Ohio, received her public school and
early musical education in Stark County, Ohio, where all the daughters
were born. Gifted in music, Mrs. Garrett was accorded special training
in voice building from such teachers as the Italian master Ridge, and
concert coaching from Hill. During their school days the sisters
appeared in nearly 300 musical programs. After high school Mar-
guerite entered Jlount Morris College in Illinois, taking a course in
elocution and physical culture, also graduating from the Art and Bible
Department. At this institution she was a member of the college faculty
for three years, and later for two years at North Manchester College in
Wabash County, Indiana. These positions were both resigned for that
of evangelistic song and musical institute work among the churches. In
the interest of this department of Christian activity, sixteen states
were visited and nearly a thousand special programs of sacred song and
story given. Mrs. Garrett also went abroad as song evangelist for the
School of Travel and Research, touring Europe, Asia and Africa.
Some of her best known gospel songs were written while visiting the
Holy Laud. "Galilee" was composed while sailing across the Sea of
Galilee, and "Dreams" shortly after a visit to ilount Tabor, overlook-
ing the Plain of Esdraelon, "the great battlefield of nations." Since

534 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

residing in Wells County ilrs. Garrett has continued her interest and
devoted much of her time to Christian and musical activities.

At the expiration of the auditor's official term of four years, Mr. and
, Mrs. Garrett moved from Blutfton to their country- home one mile north
of Liberty Center, situated on the banks of Lake Garrett, one of the
largest artificial lakes in Indiana, and it is known as one of the most
complete, artistic, picturesc|ue and thoroughly adequate and self-sufficing
country homes in the Hoosier State. For both ]\Ir. and ^Mrs. Garrett no
vacation or relaxation from home and business care is quite correct that
does not include a big game hunt. Trophies from various hunting fields
are found in their private collection,

"For, they listen to the pleading.
And they answer to the call
Of the whisper from the woodland
When the leaves of Autumn fall."

Earl Higgixs, V. S. One of the successful young professional men
of Harrison Township, Wells County, is Dr. Earl Higgins, a graduate
veterinarian, and a popular young man of this section. Doctor Hig-
gins was the eldest of his parents' family and was born December 16,
1887, a son of Chads and Ida (Cobburn) Higgins. He spent his boy-
hood days on the home farm and attended the public schools. For some
years he engaged in farming, and in handling cattle and stock discov-
ered that he was so much interested in dumli creatures that he concluded
to make a study of their medical and surgical needs. In recent years
his profession has been advanced to one of equal dignity and necessity
and a long course of study and training was involved before he was
most creditably graduated in April, 1917, from the Indiana Veterinary
College. Indianapolis, Indiana.

Doctor Higgins was marrried to ^liss Peirl Ditzler, who is a daugh-
ter of John R. and Catherine (Brickley) Ditzler, and they have had
three children : Hermennia, who is eight years old ; Catherine, who is
six years; and Lucile, who died in 1917. In politics. Doctor Higgins is
a democrat.

John R. Ditzler, father of ilrs. Higgins, was born at Gallon, Ohio,
October 9, 1853. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Sarbaugh)
Ditzler, the former of whom was born at Reading, Pennsylvania.
George Ditzler learned the carpenter's trade and worked at the same
before moving to Crawford County. Ohio, where he combined it with
farming. In Pennsylvania he had also operated a grist mill. In 1863
he came to Wells County, Indiana, and located in Rock Creek Township,
where he acquired 160 acres of fine land and became well-known and
respected as an industrious and progressive farmer. His death occurred
May 6, 1892. He w^s married to Elizabeth Sarbaugh in Pennsylvania,
and the following children were born to them : George, who is a resi-
dent of ^larkle. Indiana ; Frank, who is in business at Warren, Indiana ;
John R. : and Susan, Mary, Sarah, Belinda, Elizabeth and Alice.

John R. Ditzler was reared on his father's farm and attended the
country schools and continued on the farm after his marriage to Cath-
erine Brickley until he was appointed superintendent of the Bluffton-
Huntington gravel road, which position he held for a term of twelve
years. When the new law went into effect that divided the county into
districts, he was appointed overseer of one of the districts, and he con-
tinued in that office for eighteen months. His work in the supervision
of gravel roads proved so satisfactory to all concerned that in 1898 he
was appointed superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary, for the

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 535

public liad contidcncc in his integrity and knew that he would dis-
eharge his public duties with as mueh eare and elSeiency as if they
were his private interests. His death occurred May 2, 1911.

John R. Ditzler was married to ^Malinda Brickley, who was a daugh-
ter of Alfred Brickley, one of the substantial farmers and a former
trustee of Rock Creek Township. To this marriage the following chil-
dren were born: Etta, who is the wife of John A. Miller; John C, who
married JIary Haughton, and both are deceased; Pearl, who is the wife
of Dr. Earl Higgins ; and Nora, who married Chauncey J. Myers. IMr.
Ditzler and wife were members of the Lutheran Church, in" which he
was one of the elders. In politics he was a democrat and he was ever
loyal to its principles.

JoKEPH C. G. ^Iaddox. B'ully three-quarters of a century have
passed since the Maddox family invaded the wilderness of Chester
Township in Wells County, and "through the collective energies and re-
sources of this one family many acres of wild land have been cleared,
the fruits of the field have been gathered season after season, good
homes have been established, families reared, and the name is identified
with everything good and useful in the county. The life of Joseph
C. G. ]\Iaddox has been in keeping with the record set by the family as
a whole, and for a number of years he gave his services as an educator
and for over thirty years has lived on the farm where he was born in
Chester township. His home is on Rural Route No. 2 out of Keystone.

]Mr. ;\Iaddox was born on his present farm Pebruarj' 25, 1855, a son
of Wesley H. and Eliza A. (Groves) i\Iaddox. His grandparents were
Michael and Frances (Williams) iladdox, natives of Virginia and of
English and Scotch descent. The Maddox ancestors came to America
about the time of the Revolution. ^Michael ]\Iaddox married for his first
wife in Virginia JIis.s Praley, by whom he was the father of ten chil-
dren, and altogether he had eighteen children by two wives. In 1795
he removed to Adams County, Ohio, and still later to Highland County,
where he married Frances Williams. In the fall of 1839 he removed
with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, settling two miles east
of Montpelier. He entered a hundred sixty acres in Section 11 of Har-
rison township of that county, cleared away a spot in the woods, built
a log cabin, and remained a faithful worker and a public spirited resi-
dent of that community until his death on September 10, 1845. He
was a regular worshipper in the Methodist Episcopal faith. His widow
moved out to Nebraska in 1866 and died in Richardson County of that
state December 10, 1874. She was a very noble woman, deeply inclined
to religious work, possessed a great deal of business-like and practical
energy, and did well by all her children. These children, all of whom
reached maturity, were Polly, Joseph C, Wesley H., William M., Wil-
son ]M., James J., Eliza A. and Sarah, all of whom are now deceased.

Wesley Harvey Maddox, father of Joseph C, was the founder of
the family in Wells County and for many years one of its most highly
esteemed citizens. He was born in Highland County, Ohio, Seiifciiibi r
2, 1821, and in 1837 at the age of sixteen came to Indiana and joined
a brother in Randolph County. A little later he moved to Blackford
County, where his parents subsequently joined him, and he was with
them until after his father's death. In 1842 he and a half brother
bought a hundred sixty acres of land in Section 36 of Chester Township,
Wells County. It is said that his half brother gave a horse in payiiicnt
of his share. Wesley H. Maddox did not have a dollar of capital, and
he paid for the land by the proceeds of his hunting ability. He caught
many coons and killed numerous deer, and in the course of two years

536 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

had his eighty acres paid for. In 1845 he bought the eighty acres of
his half brother. To pay for this he worked at wages of $10 a month
or thereabouts for four yeai-s in Wayne, Fayette and Union counties.
The first home on this farm was a log building 18 by 24 feet, erected
by the first occupant, who had settled there in 1841.

After coming to Wells County, Wesley H. Maddox became ac-
quainted wjth the Groves family, and on November 8, 1849, married
Eliza Ann Groves, oldest child of Thomas and Ann (Wilson) Groves.
She was a native of Licking County, Ohio. Her parents came to Wells
County, Indiana, in 1839, and it is said that they made their home
under the wide spreading branches of an oak tree until their log cabin
was completed. Thomas Groves, a son of Robert and Susanna Groves,
was one of four brothers, Thomas, George, Joseph and Lewis, all of
whom came to Wells county and settled near Poueto. Joseph Groves
set aside a portion of his farm for a cemetery, and Susanna Groves, who
died in 1840, was the first person buried there. Eliza A. Groves was
teacher of the first school in Chester Township, and was a woman of
much culture and thorough education. She died May 9, 1874. Wesley
H. Maddox and wife settled on their farm two weeks after their mar-
riage. Their laud was in the midst of the heavy timber, only one acre
had been cleared, and their joint possessions consisted of a bedstead, a
few dishes, two cows and two colts. Mr. Maddox soon made a table out
of black walnut, and that was one of his prized possessions for many
years, and is now owned by Joseph C. G. ]\Iaddox. Wesley Maddox
made a living from his farm and from his prowess as a hunter, and his
property and prosperity increased until at one time he owned over 300
acres, with more than 200 acres in cultivation. He became a republican
upon the organization of the party, and filled various places of trust,
including that of township trustee. He and his wife had eight children,
seven of whom grew to maturity : Leander E., who became a phj'sieian
and married ilary E. Newman ; Frances A., who married George W.
Leach, and she lost her life in the terrible Iroquois Theater fire in Chi-
cago in 1903, her daughter, Estella, who was with her at the time,
being one of the few who escaped: Joseph C. G., next in age; William
M., who married Alice Tribell; Sarah E., wife of Amaziah Shields;
Wesley H., Jr., who married Lulu Shields : and Laura Belle, wife of
John E. Markley.

Joseph C. G. Maddox grew up on the old homestead, acquired his
early education in the district schools and at Bluffton, and qualifying
as a teacher he spent the greater part of his time for fifteen years in that
work.

On June 11, 1879, he married Miss Elizabeth 0. Dawson, who was
born in Nottingham Township of Wells County, and was educated in
the common schools. She was only three years of age when her mother
died, and her father was George Dawson. After their marriage Mr.
and ilrs. Maddox began keeping house a half mile east of Keystone,
but in 1884 he gave up teaching and has since devoted his entire atten-
tion to looking after his well cultivated farm in Chester Township. He
owns 240 acres, and in addition to building up this fine estate has
ample provision for his children in the way of making a good home and
giving them a liberal education. Mr. Maddox is a republican in politics
and is always ready with his support for any movement that would
benefit the community.

]\Ir. and Mrs. IMaddox have three children, Hugh G., Chella D., and
J. Glenn. The oldest, Hugh G., was educated in the common schools at
Keystone, in the Montpelier High School, and took the law course
fit the State University, graduating LL. B. in 1908. He is now on the

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 537

farm with his father. He married Carrie B. Steele of Bloomington, In-
diana, aud has oue child, Geraldiue, born May 3, 1908. Mrs. Hugh G.
Maddox died February 25, 1918. Chella D., the second child of Mr.
and Mrs. iladdox, is a graduate of the Keystone and Moutpelier schools
and was awarded the degree Master of Arts by the Indiana State Uni-
versity. She is now the wife of Howard W. Strait, and they live in
Chester Township and have two bright young children, J. Lowell* and
Elizabeth. J. Glenn, the youngest child, is a graduate of the Keystone
High School, and married Sli/rley A. Gaiser. Their two children are
Gaiser and Eulonda. ^

Clem Rook. Among the numerous examples of successful farm en-
terprise in Wells County one that deserves more than passing mention
is the Elm Line Stock Farm, of which Clem Rook is proprietor. This
farm is situated a mile south and a half mile west of Keystone on Rural
Route No. 2. It is not one of the largest farms in the country, com-
prising eighty acres, but is undoubtedly one of the best managed and
most productive for its size. Mr. Rook is a specialist in stock raising.
The Elm Line Stock Farm is every year gaining increased reputation
as the home of some of the best grades of stock in the county. Mr.
Rook has a very tine herd of Duroc hogs, and his herd is headed by one
of the best males of the class, of the Chief Defender strain. He has
good grades of cattle and horses, and is also a breeder and fancier of
the Single Comb Rhode Island Red poultry.

ilr. Rook has made a success in life by strenuous self-exertion. He
was born in Blackford County, Indiana, July 9, 1881, sou of Charles
and Catherine (Markins) Rook. When he was seven years of age both
his parents died and as an orphan boy he was reared in the home of an
uncle. While there he attended common schools only in the winter ses-
sion and was employed in various tasks both while in school and
especially during the summer seasons. At the age of sixteen he left
his uncle's home and went to work on his own resources. Two years he
worked in the oil fields.

On December Si, 190-4, Mr. Rook married iliss Laura Hiestand.
She was bom on a farm in Nottingham Township of Wells County,
daughter of John and Nettie (Stephens) Hiestand. Her father was a
native of Springfield and her mother of Adams County, Indiana. Both
now reside in Adams County. Mr. and Mrs. Rook had very little capital
when they married, and they began housekeeping at Dunkirk, Indiana,
where he worked on a farm. Later he rented a place near Redkey, In-
diana, and subsequently moved to the ^IcCaffery farm in Chester town-
ship of Wells County. Here they continued renting for eight years,
but in the meantime after four years they were able to buy the farm
that is now known as the Elm Line Stock Farm. For several years Mr.
Rook conducted both the rented place and his own land, and on Novem-
ber 5, 1914, came to his present home. The land of Elm Line Stock
Fann was largely in the woods when he took possession, and its im-
provements are evidence of his thrifty and industrious ownership.

Mr. and I\Irs. Rook have one daughter, Dorothy, born September 17,
1905, and now a student in the Keystone school. The family are mem-
bers of the Catholic Church at Montpelier and in politics 'Sir. Rook is
a democrat.

Amos R. Williams took the lead in organizing the Bank of Petroleum
and has been its president from the time it opened its doors for busi-
ness on December 22, 1908. He has made this one of the sound and

538 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

substantial banking institutions of Wells County, and his associates are
all prominent men in this section.

Mr. Williams has for many years been one of the leading farmei-s
of Nottingham Township, and his place of 200 acres has often been
spoken of as a model of agricultural management and improvement.

ilr. Williams was born on a farm in Nottingham Township Decem-
ber 1, 1849, a son of James S. and Harriet (Bolenger) Williams. His
father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. James S.
Williams accompanied his widow mother to Pickaway County, Ohio,
when he was very young, and grew to manhood in circumstances that
forced him at an early age to earn his own living. He married in Pick-
away County, farmed there for two years afterwards, and in 1847
brought his family to Wells County, Indiana, settling in section 1 of
Nottingham Township. He had no property at the time, but his wife
inherited forty acres and through industry and good management James
S. Williams earned the money to buy forty adjoining acres. All of
that was in the woods, but he kept steadily at work until it was
under cultivation, and in time he became one of the extensive land
owners of the township, with over 300 acres under his control. He
died at the old homestead September 14, 1901, and his widow passed
away in 1906. He was active in the United Brethren Church and in
politics was a republican. The children were named ilartha, George,
Amos E., Mary, Emma, Sarah, Frank, Ada and Ida, twins, Hiram,
Thomas S., John, Alice and Amanda. Seven of these are still living.

Amos R. Williams grew up on the old home farm in Nottingham
Township, and acquired his early education in the district schools. At
the age of twenty-one he entered the lumber industry, accjuiring a third
interest in a sawmill with his brother, George, and with Henry Kirk-
wood. In three or four years Amos R. Williams became sole proprietor
of the mill, but a little later traded the milling property for eighty
acres in section 9 of Nottingham Township. A small part of this had
been cleared, and there were no other improvements beyond a small
frame house and an old log barn. With the exception of two years spent
in BluflPton for the purpose of recovering his health. Mr. Williams gave
all the strength of his body and the intelligence of his mind to the im-
provement and management of his farm, for many years, and few men
of the county have been more prosperous as farmers. He erected a
splendid barn in 1893 and in 1897 built one of the finest country homes
of the county. Though now a resident of Petroleum, ^Ir. Williams still
keeps in close touch with his varied farming interests.

On March 25, 1875, Mr. Williams married Miss ^lary Kirkwood,
daughter of William and Susan (Gehrett) Kirkwood, both natives of
Ohio and early settlers of Wells County. Nine children were born to
Mr. and ^Mrs. Williams, namely : Oliver J., born ^March 27, 1876, and
died September 3, 1877; William A., born March 11, 1878; John F.,
born November 20, 1879, died August 2, 1880; Verne, born August 4,
1881; Pearl, born November 3, 1883; Delbert, born September 15, 1885;
Clem, born April 28. 1887 ; Samuel, born September 11, 1889 ; and Anna,
born September 3, 1892. Jlr. and Mrs. Williams gave their children the
best of advantages in the local schools and most of them are established
now in homes of their own. The family are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and he is one of the church trustees. He has filled
all the chairs in Lodge No. 752 of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows at Poneto, and in politics is a stanch republican.

John C. Davvtlet. The successful farmer of today must be able
to carry on his enterprise with close calculation and scientific manage-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 539

ment and because of their aliility to do so, many of the agriculturists
of Wells County have become practically indepeudent. Among the
prosperous agriculturists of Chester Township is John C. Dawley,
whose richly cultivated farm of forty acres presents proof of careful
tillage and judicious farm methods.

John C. Dawley may almost be called a native of Wells County,
Indiana, as his entire life, with the exception of a few months in infancy,
has been passed here. He was, however, born in Highland County,
Ohio, June 11, 1851. His parents were William A. and Malinda (Pan-
nel) Dawley. His father was of New England ancestry and was born
in Vermont, and his mother was a native of Ohio, in \vhich state they
were married in 1S50. In December, 1851, they came to Wells
County, Indiana, and settled in Nottingham Township and spent the
rest of their lives here. They were most worthy people and consistent
members of the Christian Church. They had five children born to them
and three of these are living, namely:" John C; James F., who is a
farmer in Jay County, Indiana ; Amanda J., who is the wife of Jeremiah
Smith, a farmer in Oklahoma.

John C. Dawley was reared in Nottingham Township. When old
enough he started to go to school and well remembers the old school-
house of logs located not far from his father's farm, a very different
building from the one in which his own children were educated. He
has been a farmer all his life and until he was twenty-one years old
worked by the month at farm labor, and thus had good practical train-
ing for the future when he had his own farm to manage.

Mr. Dawley was married to Miss Barbara Poulson, in Wells County,
and they had three children : ]\Iartha J., who is the wife of William
Keene of Chester Township ; James H. ; and Rosetta, who is the wife
of Austin Lewis. The mother of these children died when they were
young and Mr. Dawley 's second marriage was to Miss Bashaba Jarrett.
To this marriage the following children were born: John W. ; ilary E.,
who is the wife of Lawrence Penrod; and Flossie W. and M. W., both
of whom live with their parents.

For many years ]Mr. Dawley has been prominent in republican
politics in Wells County and has served with the utmost efficiency in
public ofSces. For five years he was assessor of Chester township and
otherwise has been capable in public matters. He is widely known and
has a host of personal friends. This fact was proved when his party
nominated him for the office of sheriff of Wells county and in the elec-
tion he cut the normal democratic majority of 1,800 to 500 votes.

Oliver F. Tate. One of the representative citizens and prosperous
agriculturists of Wells County is Oliver F. Tate, whose valuable farm
is situated on section 16. Chester Township. Mr. Tate was born on
this place, October 20, 1858. His parents were John and Cynthia
(Beason) Tate.

j\Iany of the leading families of Indiana originated in Virginia and
there John Tate, the father, was born in 1835 and came from there in
early manhood to Wayne County, Indiana. Here he was married to
Cynthia Beason, who was born in this county August 28, 1841. After
marriage they moved to Wells County, and here John Tate, in 1857,
bought forty acres of land located near Chester Center, in Chester
Township. He immediately began to improve his property but his
work was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war. In 1861 he
enlisted in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and
served until incapacitated by wounds, at Helena. Arkansas, in 1863.

540 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

There were two children in the family: Oliver F. and Jane, who is the
widow of Charles Beavington of Warren, Indiana.

Oliver F. Tate had comparatively few advantages of any kind in
boyhood, for life was hard on the pioneer farm while the father was
away serving and sutiferiug for his country. He went to school as op-
portunity offered until he was thirteen years old, and then started out
to face the world for himself. He fortunately found plenty of farmers
willing to employ a strong, vigorous, industrious boy, and until he was
twenty years old he worked in Wells County and then visited some of
the western states. He remained away for about two years, but in his
travels found no place that suited him better than the old home neigh-
borhood, and came back and in the fall of 1883 settled on his present
farm. He has 106 acres in Chester Township, all the result of his own
industry, and has made improvements that render his property very
valuable. He carries on a general farming line and raises some good
stock.

Mr. Tate was married on November 9, 1882, to Miss Emma Helm,
who was born, reared and educated in Randolph County, Indiana. After
marriage ilr. and Mrs. Tate settled first in Jackson Township, but sub-
sequently moved to Chester Township. The following children have
been born to them : Lula, who is a graduate of the Keystone High
School : John, who was graduated from the public schools and then
entered the regular army of the United States, with rank of quarter-
master-sergeant, and has served in the Philippine Islands and on the
Mexican border, a young man well deserving the militarj- honors that
have come to him; Ben.jamin, who is the home farmer, his father's right
hand man ; Edna, who has completed the common school course ; and
Hugh, who is a student in the Keystone High School.

Mr. Tate is an active and influential factor in county politics, a
republican leader to some extent. He has served as school director and
as deputy township assessor and also has been a delegate to both state
and congressional conventions.

Edward S. Wolfe. A substantial farmer and breeder of high grade
horses in Nottingham Township, Wells County, is Edward S. Wolfe,
who devotes himself mainly to his agricultural interests at present, but
for many years was identified with the oil industry in Indiana and
Ohio. Few men know more thoroughly the past and present history
of that natural product in relation to this section of the state.

Edward S. Wolfe was born in Jay County, Indiana, July 20, 1867.
His parents were J. N. and Hannah L. (Lacy) Wolfe. Both parents
were natives of Ohio and they were married in Wells County, Indiana,
but located first in Jay County, from there coming to Wells County,
when Edward S. was thirteen years old. He assisted his father and
remained at home until he was about twenty-five years of age, in the
meanwhile attending the district schools until about the age of nineteen.

After his marriage, in 1892, jMr. Wolfe rented the L. P. Walser
farm near Domestic, which he operated for two years and then went
to work in the oil fields and was connected with an outfit there until
1894, when he became foreman of the Dunmore Oil Company and con-
tinued with that concern for three years. Mr. Wolfe liy that time had
learned much and had had valuable experience and decided to go into
the business for himself. He purchased a string of tools and for the
following eighteen years followed oil contracting both in Indiana and
Ohio. In 1899 the Wolfe oil lease was opened and he and his father
became producers and he operated the well luitil the oil was all pumped
out. Since then Mr. Wolfe has been engaged as above mentioned, hav-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 541

iiig- a valuable farm of seventy-five acres near Domestic, and owning a
one-half interest in the Three Mile Stock Farm, where a specialty is
made of breeding thorough-bred Percherou horses.

^Ir. Wolfe was married October 27, 1892, to iliss Anna Settle, the
eldest daughter of Winfield S. and Elizabeth (Albertsou) Settle, a fam-
ily of much importance in Nottingham township. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe
have had two children, the one survivor being Sadie, who was born
August 20, 1893. She is the widow of PJarl Barton and has one child,
Frances L., who has passed her fifth l)irtliday and is a precious treasure
in the home of her grandparents.

In politics Mr. Wolfe is a republican, but his life has been so closely
devoted to liusiness that he has not had much opportunity, even if he
had the inclination, to be very active in politics. He is not an indifferent
citizen, however, being always interested in movements that will benefit
his section, and has always been liberal in contributing to the cause of
charity,

Homer E. Robison, D. D. S. The world instinctively pays deference
to the man whose success has been worthily achieved and whose prom-
inence is not the less the result of an irreproachable life than of natural
talents and acquired ability in the field of his chosen labor. Dr. Robison
occupies a position of distinction as a representative of the dental pro-
fession in Bluft'ton and the best evidence of his capability in the line of
his chosen work is the large patronage which is accorded him. He is
associated in practice with his father, an old and reliable dentist in this
city, and the firm is known as Robison & Robison.

Dr. Homer E. Robison was born in Bluifton, Indiana, Februai-y 9,
1877, and he is a son of Dr. P. L. and Willametta (Merriman) Robison,
the former of whom was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
and the latter in Whitley County, Indiana. The Robison family, origin-
ally from Scotland, was founded in America in the old colonial era of our
national history by John Robison, great-great-grandfather of Dr. Robison
of this review. He came to this country and settled in Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, where he married Barbara Dumbauld. He was a loyal and
patriotic citizen and served throughout the period of the War of the Rev-
olution. He and his wife were the parents of one son. John, whose birth
occurred in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1785. In 1803
John Robison married Catherine Weimer and to them were born eight
children, of whom William W. was the youngest son; he was born in
1824 and in 1847 married Sophia Eicher. To them were born four chil-
dren, two of whom died in infancy. Concerning the other two, Catherine
became the wife of William C. Williamson of Kanorado, Kansas, where
she died September 22, 1917, and Peter Lohr is the father of Homer E.

William W. Robison purchased the old homestead in Fayette County,
Pennsylvania, and lived on it until 1859, when he sold it and came to
Indiana, locating in Union Township, Adams County. He was engaged
in fanning operations for a time and then studied for the ministry and
was ordained a Baptist preacher. He had charge of the Baptist Church
at Bluffton for a period of thirteen years and went thence to Columbia
City, where he remained three years. In March, 1880, he accepted a call
to Auburn, Crawford County, Ohio, and there his cherished and devoted
wife died April 13, 1881. He was summoned to eternal rest in 1898.

Dr. Peter Lohr Robison was six years of age when his parents located
in the Hoosier State. He was educated in the public schools of Adams
County and Springfield Academy. In 1871 he engaged in the grocery
business in Bluffton. Shortly afterward he went to Kenton, Ohio, and
there studied dentistry. March 29, 1874, he returned to Bluft'ton, here

542 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

initiating the work of his profession as a partner of Dr. Thomas Sturgis,
under the tirm name of Sturgis & Robison. Poor health, however, com-
pelled him to discontinue his dental practice and thereafter he was
engaged at different kinds of work until 1879. In that year he again
entered upon the active practice of his profession as a member of the firm
of Robison & ilerriman. This alliance continued for two years and after
that Dr. Robison practiced alone, until the year 1900. In the latter year
he associated with himself his son, Dr. Homer E. Robison. whose name
forms the caption for this review. Dr. Peter L. Robison is well known
throughout Bluflfton and Wells County as an eseraplaiy citizen and as a
strictly reliable and skillful dentist. He is a member, deacon and trustee
of the Baptist Church and is chairman of the county Sunday School
Committee. His political adherence is with the democratic party and he
has long been active in local politics. For two terms he served with
marked efSciency as city clerk of Bluft'ton and he is enthusiastic in his
support of all matters projected for the good of the general welfare.
May 18, 1875, Dr. Robison married ]\Iiss Willametta ilerriman, a daugh-
ter of Dr. Merriman, of South Whitley, Indiana. Dr. and Jlrs. Robison
have two children : Homer E. and Nellie, the latter of whom is the wife
of Cairo Snider, of ^Marion, Indiana.

In the public and high schools of Bluffton Dr. Homer E. Robison
received his preliminary educational discipline, then entering Franklin
College at Franklin, Indiana. After leaving Franklin he entered the
Cincinnati Dental College, and in 1896 he was matriculated as a student
in Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois, and was graduated as
a member of the class of 1898, with the degree of Doctor of Dental
Surgery. He stood so high in his work that he received an honorary ap-
pointment in the university and was there for two years more. In 1900
he returned to Bluff ton and entered his illustrious father's dental parloi-s
as a partner. This mutually agreeable association has continued to the
present time and the firm of Robison & Robison is well known through-
out Wells County.

]\Iarch 29, 1899, Doctor Robison married iliss Ruby Sturgis, a
daughter of J. E. Sturgis, of Bluffton, Indiana. This union has been
prolilie of two children: Helen E., born June, 1902; and Betty, born
in February', 1914. Doctor Robison is prominent in Masonic circles,
being a member of Blue Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted ilasons. Bluff-
ton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and Bluffton Council, Royal and Select
Masters. He is likewise affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights
cf Pythias, of which he was a trustee for seven years; and with the local
lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a democrat
in politics.

It is a well known fact that a great percentage of those who enter
business life meet with failure or only a limited measure of success.
This is usually due to one or more of several causes — superficial prep-
aration, lack of close application, or an unwise choice in selection of a
vocation for which one is not fitted. The reverse of all this has entered
into the success and prominence which Doctor Robison and his father have
gained. Their equipment for the profession was unusually good and
they have continually extended the scope of their labors through the
added efficiency that comes from keeping in touch with the marked
advancement that has been made by the members of the dental fra-
ternity in the Jast quarter of a century.

George R. Mounsey. Wells County has its full quota of merchants,
manufacturers, professional men and bankers to whom it is indebted for
its prestige among its sister counties, but perhaps it is more particularly

ADAMS AND WELLS C'OUXTIf:S 543

noted for tlie hifrli standards set liy its ag-rienlturists, whose energy and
enterprise (luring- tlir past several decades have made this locality one of
the jiai'ilcii spots (if I mliana, as well as a center of agricultural production
that adds til ils iinpiirtance at a time when the nations of the earth are
looking- to America witli anxious eyes in regard to the food supply. One
of the most productive parts of the county is the district lying in Chester
Township, where is to be found the Keystone Stock Farm, one mile west
of Keystone, which property is owned liy George R. Mounsey, a progres-
sive and energetic farmer with twentieth-century ideas. ^Mr. ^lounsey was
bom at Liberty, Wells County, Indiana, February 26, 1857, a son of John
and Eliza (Merriman) ^Mounsey.

John ^Mounsey was born at the foot of Mount Skedy, in Cumlierland-
shire, England, and was eighteen years of age when he came to the United
States and settled in Pennsylvania. There he accepted whatever honor-
able employment he could find, but was not satisfied with so uncertain a
career and accordingly, in 1841, came to Wells County, Indiana, where he
purchased 160 acres of land in Liberty Township. This was largely
covered with timber at the time of liis arrival, l)ut Mr. Mounsey cleared a
spot, built a cabin and set about to improve and cultivate his land to such
good effect that he became one of the substantial men of his community
and the owner of a valuable property. ^Ir. ^Mounsey was one of the pillars
of the Baptist Church and for many years a deacon therein, being for
three years a deacon in the church located southwest of Liberty Center.
He was a democrat in his political affiliation, and was known as an in-
fluential man in his party, but beyond serving as a member of the election
board took little part as an office holder. Of his nine children, seven are
living at this time.

George R. Mounsey was reai-ed on the home farm in Liberty Town-
ship, and after completing his education in the district schools taught
a class in the country for one term. Until he was twenty-five years of
age he made his home in Liberty Township, but then moved to Chester
Township, where he first purchased a farm in section 7. Of this he sub-
sequently disposed to buy his present property, on section 27. township
25, range 11, which consists of 191 acres and is registered as the Keystone
Stock Farm. Mr. Mounsey 's favorite stock being Short Horn cattle, of
which he now has a splendid herd. He carries on both general farming
and dairying in addition to his cattle raising, and all three depart-
ments has achieved a pronounced success, being accounted a skilled and
modern farmer of the progressive type and a good judge of cattle, as
well as a business man of integrity and shrewdness. In addition to his
Indiana farming land he is the possessor of 1,300 acres lying in Southern
Illinois, whicli is. being rapidly developed into a handsome estate.

Mr. Mounsey was married October 25, 1879, to Mary A. Williamson,
who was born JIarch 18, 1858, near Jlount Zion. Indiana, and to this
union there have been born four sons of whom three are living at this
time: Otis C, a graduate of the common schools, first graduate of the
Keystone High School, and also a graduate of the Indiana State Uni-
versity, and now looking after his father's agricultural interests in South-
ern Illinois: A. E., a graduate of the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Business
College, who is engaged in farming operations in Blackford County,
Indiana: and Carey E., a graduate of the ^Montpelier High School aiid
of the State University, and who was principal of schools at Mount
Comfort and Keystone one year, and now in the training camp at Camp
Taylor, Kentucky, getting ready to be called into service in the sn-eat
war. Mr. and ^Irs. IMounsey and their children are members of the
Christian Church. Jlr. ^loun.sey is a democrat in politics and has taken
some interest in jiublic aifairs. He has also been the incumbent of

544 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

several local offices, having served his community well as trustee of
Chester Township from 1890 to 1895 ; and as county commissioner of
Wells County for one term of three years.

Hon. Michael C. Blue. The following sketch contains the important
facts in the life and family records of the Wells County citizen whose
name has always stood for all that is honest and of good report in this
community, for thrift and business integrity, for a position which all
must respect. ^Ir. Blue"s life has been significant not only for its
duration, but also for its performance of duties and its strength and
usefulness in every one of life's important relations.

Mr. Blue is one of the honored octogenarians of Wells County, and
his recollections of pioneer days furnish many items that are valuable
as history apart from their significance in his own career. These recol-
lections, recorded at this time, serve to supplement sketches of his life
previously published, and altogether it makes one of the notable chapters
in this publication.

Mr. Blue was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16, 1836. His
birthplace was a log cabin standing on one of the school sections of that
county (section 16). He was four years of age when he accompanied
the family to Lancaster Township of Wells County, where they arrived
in March, 1840. At that time the Blue family consisted of Uriah and
Rachel (Moore) Blue, and their children: Mary, Lucinda, Michael C.
and James Blue. The Blue family came originally from Virginia and
settled first in Kentucky but soon afterward went into the Miami Valley
of Ohio. Uriah Blue had entered his land in Lancaster Township in
1836 and the patent still in the family was signed by President Van
Buren.

One of the interesting things to know is how the early families
traveled when coming to Wells County. The early part of the winter
of 1840 was open until the latter part of February, when it began to
freeze. The road leading from ]\liami County, Ohio, to Wells County,
Indiana, was new and for most of the way had just been cut out. There
were no bridges over the streams or swamps and in wet mild weather
a wagon could have made no progress at all. As soon as the roads would
bear up a team and wagon, the parents loaded the wagon with all the
household goods it would contain and then in some way managed to
put in the children and set oi;t to travel the distance of more than a
hundred miles through the woods. After leaving Troy and Piqua
they passed no towns except the small settlements of St. Marys and
Wilshire, Ohio. Each day they made as much progress as possible and
at nightfall camped out by the roadside. Thus after many stages they
arrived in section 15, Lancaster Township, where the father had previ-
ously located his claim in the northwest quarter. Besides the team of
horses that drew the wagon four head of milch cows were driven along.
The Blue family arrived at their destination late one evening. The
horses and cows were tied to small trees, and LTriah Blue with flint and
steel built a fire beside a great log. In this situation they felt them-
selves completely remote and isolated from all the world, and felt at
liberty to say and act as they pleased. But soon after nightfall, the
wolves, perhaps regarding them as intruders upon their ,iust rights and
territory, set up such a tremendous howling that it shook the wagon
in which the parents and children were trying to sleep. Underneath
the wagon was the old dog Pointer and he was so frightened that had
he been able he would undoubtedly have sought refuge up a tree. Thus
the first night spent in Wells County was not without its unpleasant
features. But with the coming of morning the wolves sneaked away,

"XwlAoA-hOJl.

uiX-

ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 545

the family crawled out from the wagon, and at the roll call all were
found to be pref?ent. The cattle were then set free and also the hoi-ses
to graze or browse on the twigs and grass. Uriah Blue then set busily
to work seeking out a spot for the erection of his cabin. It was nearly
noon before the preliminaries were finished, and then to the surprise
of every one there .suddenly came upon the scene some fifteen or six-
teen brawniy Hoosiers, who unloaded their axes and guns and with-
out special introduction inquired where the house was to be built. When
the spot was pointed out, all of them set to work felling trees, splitting
clapboards, and with the aid of the family team. Barge and Tongue, the
logs were quickly got together and by sunset what was then regarded
as an up-to-date cabin was complete, being covered over with clapboards.
Every timber that entered into the construction of the cabin had been
standing as a tree in the morning, and when the task was completed
the neighbors shouldered their guns and axes and went as they came.
To the young boy Michael it all seemed like magic, and he never knew
who these industrious and helpful men were, whence they came nor
whither they went.

The service performed by them was a most kindly one, since that
very night a snow of nine inches fell, and the family had every reason
to be grateful for their shelter. In the meantime toward evening when
they went out to round up their stock, they found the best cow down
on the ice. She had ventured out over the frozen surface to get the
long grass, and having fallen was unable to get up. As there was
no time to bring her in before night, they pulled some of the long
grass and made a bed for her, and went home intending to look after
her wants in the morning. About ten o'clock that night a tremendous
howling of wolves was heard in the direction where the cow lay, and
the next morning on going down they found nothing of old Lil but
her hoofs, part of her hide, bones and horns. Thus one of the impor-
tant resources for maintaining the family was removed, and they had to
fall back upon the other three cows, Pied, Spot and Cherry.

While all these circumstances were somewhat depressing, it was
only a few weeks before the snow melted and the wild wood gloom
changed into mirth and ,ioy of springtime. The woods were full of
deer, wild turkey, pheasants, squirrels and foxes, and almost every
other kind of wild game. At break of day the wild turkey could be
heard gobbling in every direction, pheasants drummed, squirrels barked,
and these with the singing of wild birds made up the forest symphony
which only the oldest settlers can remember. It was not long before
other people began moving in, and a short distance east of the Blue
family four families entered a section of Government land and settled
each on one of the inside corners of the section, thus forming a snug
settlement. These people were well to do. and soon established a saw-
mill which was probably the first steam mill in Wells County. Still
later there was an addition to its facilities in the form of a corn crusher,
which made what was knowni as "pugney. "

All this time the Blue family continued to live on the Jiorthwest
quarter of section 15. The four children in the meantime became
Hoosierized Buckeyes, and waxed in size and took on all the character-
istics of thoroughbred Hoosiers. In the meantime other real Hoosiers
came one by one into the family circle until there were Ave native Indi-
anans. whose names were Kate, Elizabeth. Uriah, John, and Melis.sa.
Thus the Blue family comprised nine children. These children followed
the usual destiny of human kind, grew up, left the old home nest, and
went to different parts of the coiintry. and now for many years they have

546 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

been dropping oi¥ one by one until at tbis writing only two are left,
Micbael C. and Melissa.

Uriah Blue, the father, had only bve dollars left after he established
his home in the wilderness. He was a cooper by trade, and this was an
occupation which could be turned to advantage. The habits of industry
and thrift that had been Jiis all his life were also splendid assets to a new
settler in a new country. He had always been handy with tools, and
close to his forest home he opened a general repair sliop. His services
v/ere soon in demand by the neighbors for miles around, and gradually
his income grew until the family found themselves quite comfortable.
AVhen work was slack in the shop the time was occupied in clearing and
thus by the practice of unflagging industry and the most rigid economy
the Blue family became established in the world. Uriah Blue as the
only cooper made all the barrels, well Irackets and kraut tubs that were
used.

LTriah Blue lived upon his old homestead until his death. He died
firm in the faith of the Baptist Church, of which he had been a member
many years. He was known as an atfeetionate husband and father, a
good quiet neighbor and as a citizen who was honored and respected far
and wide. Of the living children Uriah became a citizen of Oklahoma,
and Melissa is the wife of J. 0. Kunkle.

When all the circumstances of pioneer times are considered it does
not seem strange that some of the most familiar institutions of modern
life were neglected. All the energies of the pioneers, even the pioneer
children, were required to clear the land, provide better houses, raise
more stock and in the practical pursuits of hunting, and thus schools
and churches had to be left to the individual enterprise of teachers or
missionaries. Michael C. Blue was a man grown past his majority be-
fore a real free public school system was established in Indiana. He
was fully fifteen years old before he could either read or write, although
for a brief time he had been one of the pupils of the so-called select
school taught by Sallie Baldwin in that neighborhood. Such few schools
as were maintained were poorh- equipped with books and furniture and
wretchedly conducted. Thus at the age of fifteen Mr. Blue knew the
letters of the alphabet and might have been able to do a little spelling,
but was wholly unable to read. Up to that time work on his father's
farm or in the clearing occupied every moment at his disposal; there
was no time for study. As he grew older he began to realize the ad-
vantages a man of education possessed over the one who was illiterate.
It was this that first inspired in him a thirst for knowledge. It grew and
developed until it became almost insatiable. With this burning desire
to become a scholar he proved the truth of that old precept that where
there is a will there is a way. He had no encouragement from his
father, who like many of the old pioneers did not favor literary educa-
tion and regarded skillful hands as much superior to mental ability.
The Blue household had no books, and in this respect it was perhaps not
different from many other pioneer cabins throughout that section in that
day. The woods were full of wild blackberries, and when put on the
market at Bluffton they commanded a price of 5 cents a quart.
Michael C. Blue gathered a few quarts, carried them to Bluft'ton four
miles away, and the money paid him for them he used in purchasing an
elementary spelling book." It seems strange that a boy who wore man's
trousers would walk four miles to obtain such a book and then hug it
close to his bosom all the way home. He also made barrels and invested
the returns from this work in a Ray's mental arithmetic. This
was his second treasure. His next purchase was a Ray's third part
arithmetic. These books were not studied as modern text books are

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 547

studied, but Mr. Blue praetiually mastered the contents from cover to
cover, and to a large degree the problems and rules of the mental arith-
metic were committed to memory. He became so proficient in mathe-
matics and especially in mental arithmetic that some years later when he
attended a liigher school at Roanoke his abilities quickly brought him
to prominence among the students. Each day it was customary for the
schoolroom to be divided, and the teacher would give out mental prob-
lems to each side alternately. The two classes would choose what was
called a "trapper" or leader and it devolved Ifirgely upon this leader to
maintain the honor of his division. When a problem was submitted,
failing which a mark would be registered against that side. Thus though
a green and immature l)oy Mr. Blue was chosen trapper the second week
he was in the school.

In the meantime the community where he lived had been giving some
attention to schools and schoolhouses. Lancaster Township in a few years
had a log schoolhouse in every district. Crude as they were they an-
swered a purpose. Teachers were selected by a vote of the patrons of the
school district, and the hiring of such a teacher was in the hands of three
directors. During the winter his father's cooperage shop had its busiest
season. The work was often so urgent that Michael could not be spared,
but he would usually manage to steal away a few odd days each week to
attend the neighboring district school. One of the older histories of
Wells County contains Mr. Blue's description of his schoolboy costume:
"My pantaloons were made of dressed buckskin; vest and cap of fawn
skin, tanned with the hair on, while inopcasins of deer skin ornamented
my feet." Such a dress would now excite wonder and admiration, but
was probably at that time not an unusual equipment.

Though he attended school only part tune, Mr. Blue managed to
keep up with his classes by asking the girls, who attended regularly, what
the lessons were, and then in the evening after all the rest of the family
were in bed and fast asleep he would slip back into the cooper shop, take
an armful of shavings, lay them on the hearth and with his head to the
fire and from the light of one or two shavings would manage to keep
up with his studies and with his class. This earnest effort took him
along in his school work until in a few years he was given a license to
teach a common school. He taught a term, and with the proceeds
attended a select school at Murray. His record in the school at Murray
was so satisfactory that it convinced his father that school attendance
did not have as its chief result the making of rogues of boys. Thus con-
verted, the father instead of attempting to keep his son at home, actually
urged him to attend a higher school at Roanoke and take a special course
in surveying and engineering. Being proficient in mathematics, Mr. Blue
quickly mastered the details of his technical education, and that train-
ing proved the key which unlocked a way to his subsequent official
career.

As an admiring friend of Mr. Blue wrote some years ago: "By the
time he arrived at the age of manhood Michael C. Blue hacl acquired an
education equal to that of any young man in Wells County and far
superior to many. By teaching he had secured the means to attend
school at Murray and "later took a course at the Roanoke Seminary. In
mathematics he especially excelled, which led him to undertake the
higher branches, algebra, geometry and trigonometi'y, which he soon
mastered and was before long reckoned as one of the most accomplished
civil engineers in the northern half of the .state."

At the close of the term at Roanoke his teacher, j\Ir. Reefy, who was
school examiner as well as professor, gave examinations to a number of
the advanced scholars and granted a two years' license to three of the

548 ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES

pupils, includiug Mr. Blue. This license entitled the teachers to $2
per day for their services, while the other gi-ades of license commanded
wages of only $1.50 a day. With this cei-titieate IMr. Blue taught .school
in Jackson Township of Huntington County, and for eight terms was
successfully engaged in teaching in Wells County.

After the close of his school career Mr. Blue found himself in pos-
session of savings amounting to $700, partly from his work as teacher
and also by his ability in the chase. At that time fur brought a good
price, and w'as easy to obtain by a good hunter. Mr. Blue invested his
savings in eighty acres of land, put up a cabin home, and for more than
two years lived in this alone, teaching in the winter and clearing up
the land in the summer.

At that stage of his prosperous affairs, on ilay 1, 1866, he married
Miss Rhoda A. Riehey. He took his bride into a small log cabin, and
there began housekeeping. ,. •

ilrs. Blue was a daughter of William S. Riehey, one of the early
pioneers of Wells County. A few years ago a friend and admirer of
Mr. Blue, and one of the latter 's students when Mr. Blue wa.s a teacher,
wrote without the knowledge of the subject a most interesting sketch
which was published in a former work on Wells Count}-. This sketch
begins with a splendid tribute to Mrs. Blue, and that portion is cjuoted
as follows :

"Gratifying indeed must it be to the good wife and mother, as she
descends the latter half of life's slope, to know that the man she loves,
the husband of her youth and father of her children, attributed to her
every success that has come to him in life. The more exalted the station
he holds, the higher the honors that are his, the more brilliant his success,
the greater the joy that thrills her heart in knowing that to her wifely
care and solicitude much if indeed not all of it is attributable and that
the lover of her girlhood, whose love has only intensified with the lapse of
time, accords to her the full praise and credit for having made him
what he is. Such a wife and mother is ^Mrs. Rhoda Riehey Blue, wife of
Hon. M. C. Blue. Beginning life heavily handicapped by poverty, un-
able to read or wi-ite at the age of fifteen, he managed to acquire a liberal
education, particularly in mathematics, served his county as surveyor,
afterwards as auditor, and later his seat in the halls of legislation. All
of this he credits to his wife. It is not that he lacked the material in
himself to accomplish it, but without her to guide, direct and inspire
him with the unalterable purpo.se to dare and do, he would have been
swerved from his course many a time and might have relinciuished the
struggle in discouragement." And still later the same writer speaks of
her as follows: "She is a lady of many accomplishments, of refinement
and education, a woman of splendid intelligence and sound discernment
who is never deceived by blandishments and sophisti'y. To her penetra-
tion, good judgment and expedition in arriving at correct conclusions her
husband says that he is indebted for all that he has been since he met
her, all that he now is or ever hopes to be. This is a very high tribute
to the sagacity and virtues of the good lady, but it is one that is verified
by all her friends and accjuaintanees in Wells County, and their name is
legion. ' '

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Blue was blessed with six children,
five of whom are still living. George Clement, born November 15, 1867 ;
Dr. Capolas Laird, born December 16, 1868 ; Ulvin A., born January 21,
1870, and died in infancy ; Lola Zilmy. born July 3, 1871 ; Wiufred
Phineas, born April 10, 1875; and Don I., born September 23, 1882.

A short time after IMr. and Mrs. Blue had begun housekeeping, a
Baptist minister named Joseph Meredith, came out fi-om Blulfton and

ADA.MS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 549

asked ill', lihie if he did not want to be elected eounty surveyor, ilr.
Blue answered the question iu the affirmative, but his wife promptly
said no. However, ilr. Blue and the visitor were in the ma.iority and
overruled her objections. The little log house of the Blue faiTiily con-
tained only one room. Mr. Bine disliked to ask his guest to step out-
side while he changed his clothes so taking his better garments under
his arm he retired to the cornfield nearby and soon returned trans-
formed into a candidate for public favor. He borrowed a horse of a
neighbor and started out with ilr. :Meredith, who introduced him to the
people and made a canvass for his election. The first point they stopped
at was Kockford, after which they went through BluiTton and on to
Newville. After this electioneering Mr. Blue returned home and at
election day he was chosen by a large ma.jority. That was in 1867. His
commission as surveyor bore the sigiiature of Governor Oliver P. Mor-
ton. At that time the county was fast settling up and the demand for
surveying was great. So he was during the first summer called into
almost every section of the county and in that w^ay during his four years
of ofiSee became acquainted with practically every resident. Toward
the close of his four year term a friend from over in Jackson Township
urged him to become a candidate for the olBce of county auditor. He
was put on the democratic ticket of 1870, and was elected, thus stepping
from one county office into the other. Mr. Blue has always felt ex-
tremely grateful to the people of ^Yells County for the confidence they
manifested in his judgment and ability at different times, but it is the
general opinion that he has given full value received for every honor
bestowed upon him. He filled many minor offices, such as constable,
assessor, notary public and finally was ai-i'm-ilcd twn tci-iiis of ini'inlier-
ship in the State Legislature. He representrd his iMmiity \\it!i distinction
and was author of or instrumental in the pa.ssage uf many valualile laws.
After retirin^g from his second term in the Legiislature in 1895 Mr.
Blue resolved fully never again to accept an office of any kind or to
engage in political strife. He had learned that lesson which most men
who are in public affairs learn sooner or later that no one can be a suc-
cessful politician and at all time do nnto others as he would have them
do unto him. He therefore settled down to the business of farming,
and spent most of his time looking after his 400 acres of farm land, in
handling the crops, raising stock and buying and shipping livestock. In
1910, when his youngest son married, the parents put him on the home
place and then moved to Tocsin, where it was their intention to give
over their strenuous labors and take life leisurely. Soon after he re-
tired ilrs. Blue was taken ill and was moved for treatment to the hos-
pital at Fort Wayne, where the best medical skill was employed. Mr.
Blue was informed that medical science could not avail and he was
advised to take Mrs. Blue back home and employ a trained nurse and
give her the best of care to make her comfortable. She passed away in
February, 1912, in the blessed assurance of immortality and salvation
through a Saviour's love. Thus a companionship of rare felicity and
mutual benefit was ended which had begun forty-six years before. Since
the death of his wife 'Sir. Blue has found solace in his children and in
attending church at Emmaus Church almost every Sunday and acting
as class leader and teaching the Men's Bible Class. At one time Mr.
Blue was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bluffton.

Mr. Blue had a prominent part in establishing the town of his present
residence. In 1882 he surveyed the Village of Tocsin, gave it its name,
and made the application for a postoffice there. His farm lands are
close to the village, and some years ago he laid out an addition to the
town.

550 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Though it was written fourteen years ago, the sketch already re-
ferred to contains a tribute to Mr. Blue which is still essentially "true.
"He has traveled much and read deeply, and is possessed of good mem-
ory and a most commendaljle habit of ob.servation which has stored his
mind with facts ever convenient to be drawn upon. He is a fluent
speaker, who on occasions rises even to eloquence. In private conversa-
tion he is delightfully companionable, a man whom the most casual
aequaint-anee would treat with deference, and whom the stranger would
readily mark as a personage of deserved prominence."

John Kennedy. In every community situated in an agricultural
section, may be found retired farmers, men whose active agricultural
life is over but who retain a deep interest iu the continued operation of
tlieir farms and from their long experience can give valuable advice to
others. One of the well known retired farmers of Chester Township is
John Kennedy, who also is an honored veteran of the great Civil war,
and a valued member of Montpelier Post. Grand Array of the Republic.

John Kennedy was born in Ireland, ilareh 1, 1836. His fathei-,
Jeremiah Kennedy, was twice married and his first and second wives
were both natives of Ireland. His first wife died in Ireland and his
second wife accompanied him to the United States in 1839. They
stopped for a short time near Cincinnati, Ohio, and then came to Indiana
and Jeremiah Kennedy bought eighty acres of land in Chester Town-
ship, Wells County, and during the rest of his life was engaged in clear-
ing and improving it. In the course of time he became an American
citizen and later identified himself with the democratic party. He was
always a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church. To his first
marriage three sons and one daughter were born. Of this family of
four. John Kennedy is the only survivor. Of the three children born
to his second marriage but one survives, Winnie, w-ho is the widow of
William Fitzpatrick, residing near Poneto. Indiana.

John Kennedy was only three years old when the family came to the
United States. He grew up on his father's farm, attending the district
schools as opportunity offered. Like many another young man of that
period, the outbreak of the Civil war caused a great change to come into
his life, but the country's military record shows that the farms con-
tributed the bravest and most dependable soldiers of that long struggle.
Mr. Kennedy enlisted in September, 1861, in Company A, Forty-seventh
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and after sei'ving for two years, he veteran-
ized and remained in the service until the close of the war. Although he
faced danger on every side and took part in many battles, Mr. Kennedy
escaped sickness and wounds and was able to return practically un-
harmed. He has taken much interest in the Grand Army Post at Mont-
pelier ever since it was established.

Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Lncinda Harris, who was born in
Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana. October 24, 1845, a
member of one of the old families of the county. After marriage Mr.
and ^Irs. Kennedy settled on the farm in Chester Township on which
they still live and for many years "Sir. Kennedy conducted it with great
success, and when he retired it was to leave it in the hands of his
capable sons. Mr. and IMrs. Kennedy have a home of great comfort,
pleasantly situated on the farm of ninety acres. They have four chil-
dren: Frank, Nettie, Lanra and Arthur, all residing at home. The
entire family belongs to the Roman Catholic Church at Montpelier. Mr.
Kennedy has always taken an interest in public matters in the township
and has" given his political support to the candidates of the democratic
party.

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 551

Sanford H. Tejiplin. No man in Wells County stands higher in
general esteem than does Sanford H. Templin, a substantial farmer of
Nottingham Township, and a director of the Bank of Petroleum. His
life history presents much that is interesting and the perseverance and
industry with which he overcame handicaps, indicate clearly very im-
portant elements of his character.

Sanford H. Templin was born October 11, 1845, in Henry Comity,
Indiana. His parents were Terry and Rachel (Johnson) Templin. His
father was born in Highland County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Eunice
Templin, both born in Ohio but of English extraction. When Terry
Templin married Rachel Johnson, he married into a Welsh family and
secured a most estimable wife. They settled on a farm in Ohio but in
1830 moved to Delaware County, Indiana, his parents accompanying
him, and they allloeated in the same neighborhood, but Robert Templin
and his wife died in old age in Howard County, Indiana.

For a number of years Terry Templin followed farming and then
embarked in a manufacturing business, opening a small factory, foundry
and shop at Blountsville, where he manufactured agi-ieultural imple-
ments and if he had possessed a larger working capital, would have been
a successful business man. As it was, when his death occurred, January
23, 1855, he left his widow and the survivors of their family of thirteen
children, with little means. The children of Terry Templin and wife
were as follows: Sarah A., born February 23, 1829," deceased ; Nancy J.,
born November 3, 1830, deceased; Mary E., born December 5, 1832' de-
ceased; Laneey J., born December 20. 1834, deceased, was a minister of
the Methodist Episcopal Church ; Eunice, born December 30, 1836, de-
ceased; Catherine, born March 5, 1838, wife of Ephraim Carey, of Dallas,
Texas; Elizabeth, deceased, born May 24, 1843, was wife of Alexander
Chalfant; Grace A., wife of William Falkner, of Nottingham, Township,
Wells County ; Sanford H. ; Rachel L., born October 17, 1847, deceased ;
Charles E., born July 10, 1851 ; Aseuath A., born June 24, 1854, wife of
F. ]\I. Campbell, of Randolph County, Indiana and Letitia, deceased.
The mother of the above family died April 17, 1884.

Sanford H. Templin attended school in both Henry and Delaware
counties but his father died when he was ten years old and heavy respon-
sibility fell on his young shoulders. He was naturally a cheerful and
industrious boy and had no difficulty in securing work from the neighbor-
ing farmers but when, in the natural course of events he found himself
anxious to start a home of his own, he found that the support of his
father's family had exhausted his earnings. He had eho.sen a noble
woman, however, for his companion, one who showed confidence in his
ability and good judgment, and on February 4, 1865, the wedding of
Sanford H. Templin and Judith M. Faulkner took place. She was born
in Randolph County, Indiana, January 16, 1847, a daughter of Solomon
and Ruth (Bales) Faulkner. Solomon Faulkner was born in A'irginia,
March 26, 1799, and his parents were David and Judith Faulkner,
natives of Wales. In 1825 he married Ruth Bales, who was born
August 26. 1808, a daughter of John and Lois Bales. In 1828 ^Ir. and
Mrs. Faulkner settled on a farm in Randolph County, Indiana, and
lived there diiring the rest of their lives. They had fourteen children,
as follows: Isaiah il., born September 16, 1826, died August 27, 1895;
Nathan, born November 29, 1827. died January 27, 1895 : Jason and
Jabert, twins, born November 22, 1829 ; Jabert died the same day but
Jason lived until October 21, 1834; ]\Iary, born January 15, 1832, is the
widow of Jacob Booker; Rachel, born December 27, 1833, is the widow of
Henry Hill; Jesse, born January 21, 1836; Phoebe J. and Betsey E.,
twins, born I\Iarch 17, 1838, former is the wife of Aaron H. Bucket, the

552 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

latter died Doeember 7, 1SS2; John A., born November 29, 1841 ; William,
])orn September 13, 1842, a resident of Wells County ; Lois A., born May
25, 1844, is the wife of William Williams; Judith, who is the wife of Mr.
Templin; and Martha E., who was horn June 2, 1849, died February
22, 1854.

After their marriage ilr. and ilrs. Templin located near Windsor, in
Randolph County, where ilr. Templin boug'ht nine acres and bound the
agreement by paying a small sum and afterward by chopping cord wood
paid the rest of the price, and spent two years scoring timber to be used
in building bridges. As a wedding present the father of Mrs. Templin
gave her a cow, three sheep and a half dozen chickens and the necessary
household utensils. Not to be outdone by her husband in industry, during
the first year on the fai-m, Mrs. Templin took 125 pounds of wool from
her sheep, and with her own busy hands carded and spun it and turned it
over to a weaver and it was made into cloth for the use of her family.

]\Ir. and ]\Irs. Templin remained on the farm he had secured through
a trade with his brother for three years, and then traded his interest for
a place of eighty acres, thereby incurring an indebtedness of .$400. He
cleared and improved this lancl and did a large amount of ditching, and
this work aided in making him an advocate of township draining and he
was one of the chief promoters of the construction of the Wilson Creek
ditch. As time went on he added to his holdings until now he has an
exceedingly valuable farm of 160 acres, the result of hard work and
frug-dity. At the timi^ of marriage he declared he would always own
a place of his own and never pay rent and he has brought this to pass
through his good management.

ilr. and Mrs. Templin have had three children, namel.v : Letitia Jane,
who was born November 8, 1865, died December 31, 1909, the wife of
George Cheuowcth : Carey, who w^s born November 27, 1867. is a farmer
in Nottingham Township ; and George, who was born ilareh 20, 1870,
mai'ried Ollie Settle, and they live in Nottingham Township, ilr. and
Mrs. Templin have ten living grandchildren and two living great-grand-
children. Mr. and ^Irs. Templin have been active in the United Brethren
Churr-h to which all the family belong. 'Sir. Templin is influential in the
republican part.v, has served as a member of the county central com-
mittee and has been a delegate to state conventions.

Henry E. Johns is the present trustee of Nottingham Township
and a citizen of high standing and of many business relationships with
that section of Wells County, ilr Johns is a farmer and stockman- and
has spent practically all his life in this count.v.

He was born in Harrison Township near Vera Cm/. July 5, 1870. a
son of John S. and Trissa (Haughton) Johns. His father was a native
of Ohio and his mother of Adams County, Indiana. John S. Johns was
brought to Wells County by his parents when he was two years of age.
The grandparents located on a farm near Vera Cruz, taking up the land
from the Government, and spent .the rest of their days there. John S.
Johns grew up in that locality when everything was comparatively new
and I'ough. and after reaching his majority bought a farm nearby. He
did business on an extensive scale as a trader in land, and owned real
estate here and elsewhei-e. His death occurred in Arkansas, while his
wife died in Harrison Township of Wells Count.v. The father was a
democrat. There were in the family four sons and five daughters, and
five are still living: Lenora. a graduate of the common schools and now
jinrsuing her profession as a graduate nurse at Rluffton : Alonzo. a
fanner in .Xi'kansas; Roswell. a farmer in Uniim Townshiji of Wells

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 553

County: Cora, wife of J. D. Dvson of Nottingham Township, and
Henry E.

Henn- E. Johns lived on his father's farm until he was ten years of
age, and after that was in the home of his uncle, George Sinni'son, for
whom he worked and as opportunity afforded attended the district
schools of Adams County. At the age of seventeen he started out to
make his own living, at first as a wage earner by the montli and later
for a time he drove a huckster wagon.

On September 17, 1893. Uv. Johns married ]\Iiss Clara King. Her
parents. Adam and Elizabeth King, are both now deceased. ."\Irs. Johns
received her early education in School District No. 3 of Nottingham
Township. After their marriage ^Mr. and ilrs. Johns lived on the King
farm a year, then for four years lived south of Eeilfsburg. and then
bought their present farm of a little more than sixty-one acres and later
acquired 140 acres in section 8 of Nottingham Township. Mr. Johns
has come to prosperity through the avenue of hard work and honest
dealing, and is now enjoying a liberal prosperity. As a stockman he
specializes somewhat in high grade Belgian horses and some of his ani-
mals were awarded the first premium at the Bluffton Street Fair. He
is also one of the directors of the Bank of Petroleum, of which Amos
Williams is president, Samuel Warner, vice president, and Henry Shott.
cashier. Mr. Johns is also a stockholder in the Poneto Farmers Elevator
Company.

He has taken quite an active interest in democratic politics, but even
more in the substantial welfare of his community, and it was a general
recognition on the part of his feUow citizens of his qualifications that
caused him to be elected trustee of Nottingham Township. He has filled
that office since January, 1915, and his administrative work in connec-
tion with the public schools has been especially creditable.

Mrs. Johns is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Cluirch of Eeiffs-
burg. They have two sons. Raymond, a graduate of the common schools
and the Petroleum High School, was a teacher for two years but is now
a soldier in the National Army, having enli.sted at Louisville, Kentuekv-.
Fred F.. born in April, 1898, has also finished the work of the Petroleum
High School.

William A. Lee. To the present generation of Wells County at
least William A. Lee is a citizen too well known to require any intro-
duction. He has been a resident of the county practically all his life.
has been a farmer, educator, lawyer and deputy prosecutor and repre-
sents one of the old and substantial names of this section of Indiana.

He was born in Nottingham Township August 20, 1855, a son of
Alexander and Susanna (Tracy) Lee. Ilis father was born in Virginia
September 5, 1824, and the mother in Perry County, Ohio, in 1828.
Alexander Lee settled in Wells County at an early day, and acquired a
substantial property as a farmer and was also honored with the office of
county commissioner and for many years was a leader in the I\Iethodist
Episcopal Church at Poneto. He was Sunday School superintendent
there for over sixteen years. His death occurred in 1907 and his wife
pas-sed away in 1897. They had ten children, six of whom are still living.

William A. Lee spent his boyhood days on a farm, got his education
in district schools, and attended the County Normal at Bluffton. When
only seventeen he was granted his first license as a teacher, and be taught
school in this coimty until 1882. While teaching he took u]i tlie study
of law. and for a number of years he also filled the office of justice of
the peace. He has been in active practice since 1898, and has filled the
office of deputy prosecuting attorney since the election of Aaron Waltz

554 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

to the office of chief prosecutor, ilr. Lee also owns 100 acres of land
constituting a good farm, and has many interests that identify him with
the county of his nativitj'.

On December 29, 1880, he married iliss Emma R. McFarren, who
was born in Wells County, youngest sister of the prominent Blufftou
business man, George E. ilcFarren. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have three chil-
dren. Carl A., who acquired a good education in the common schools
and in a commercial college, was a teacher but is now a practical farmer.
He married Cecile Kiser. Grace S. was a teacher for a number of years
and is now the wife of Levi J. Nutter. Ralph C. married Grace Fleming
and lives in Nottingham Township. I\Ir. William A. Lee is an active
democrat and has always been affiliated with that party in his political
efforts.

Thomas J. Settle. For forty-six years the name of Settle has been
an honored one in Nottingham Township, Wells County, always repre-
senting sturdy, honest and industrious people, good citizens and sup-
porters of education and religion. It was founded by one of the finest
men this section has ever known, the late Wintield S. Settle, who was
the father of Thomas J. Settle, one of the township's prosperous farmers
and respected men. The latter was born on his father's homestead in
Nottingham Township, October 28, 1878, and is a son of Wintield S.
and Elizabeth (Albertson) Settle.

Winfield Scott Settle was born in Rockingham County, North Caro-
lina, Noveniber 20, 1841, and was a son of Josiah and Nancy A. (Graves)
Settle, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. On the paternal
side the ancestry was Scotch-Irish and on the maternal was German.
In 1847 the grandparents of Thomas J. Settle moved to Ohio and settled
in Butler County, where the grandfather died in 1869 and the grand-
mother removed from there to Richmond, Indiana, in 1877 and died
there. While still living in Butler County, Winfield S. Settle became a
soldier in the Union Army, on January 26, 1864, enlisting for service
in the Civil war in Company F. Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry. Later
he was transferred to the Fifty-seventh Regiment, the enlistment term
of the Eighty-fourth having expired, and he remained in militai'y serv-
ice until the close of the war. He took part in many battles, these includ-
ing Tunnel Hill. Resaca, Kingston, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw
^Mountain, Neal Dow Church, Peach Tree Creek, Yining Station, and
after a short furlough on account of sickness, he was with his regiment
at Lookout Mountain and through the campaign in the southwest. He
received his final discharge at Indianapolis, Indiana, having done his
full duty as a soldier, and reached his home in Ohio in January, 1866.

In 1869 ^Ir. Settle came to Wells County, Indiana, securing a partly
cleared farm in section 30. Nottingham Township, and he made this
his home during the rest of his life. He developed a fiue farm here
through prudence and industry, and he became one of the leading citizens,
a man whose honesty was never questioned and whose word at all times
■was as valuable as a legal document. In politics he was influential in
the republican party and he was one of the most active and most liberal
members in the United Brethren Church. He was married, April 24,
1869, to Elizabeth Albertson, who was born in Adams County, Indiana,
a daughter of Charles and Mary Ann (Brown) Albertson, natives
respectively of Randolph and Jay counties, Indiana. To AVinfield S.
Settle and his wife the following children were born : Anna, William
H., Olive, Winfield A., Thomas \j.. James E., Charles C, Walter B.,
Hazel, who is the wife of Hugh Gehrett, of Nottingham Township, and
one deceased.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 555

Thomas J. Settle remained at liomc witli his father until he was
eighteen years of age, in the meanwhile attending school near the home
farm during the winter seasons. About that time a new industry in this
part of Indiana began to attract industrious young men and Mr. Settle
also went to work in the oil fields and continued to be employed there
for twelve years, during the most of the time as an oil pumper. Since
then Mv. Settle has been engaged in general farming on eighty acres of
the old homestead which he owns, and he also gives considerable atten-
tion to breeding Chester White hogs, in which industry he has been
very successful.

Mr. Settle was married August 20, 1904, to j\Iiss Iva Shepherd, who
was born and reared in Randolph County, Indiana. She is a daughter
of Ezra and Mary (Study) Shepherd, ilr. and Mrs. Settle have had
three children, the two survivors being: Lloyd A., who was born Decem-
ber 25, 1907; and Richard, who was born August 26, 1912. Mr. and
Mrs. Settle are memliers of the United Brethren Church at Phoenix,
Indiana. In politics ]Mr. Settle is a republican from principle, never
having any desire for .public office as a reward of his loyalty.

George Templin. Perhaps at no time in the country's history has
every agricultural interest been of so much importance as at the present
and it is the capable, industrious farmer who has the opportunity of
not only reaping just returns for his hard work, but of also demonstrat-
ing a spirit of generous patriotism that entitles him to the gratitude of
the rest of the country. One of the excellent farmers and representative
citizens of Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana, is George
Templin, whose carefully cultivated farm shows that good judgment
regulates affairs here. ^Ir. Templin is a native of Indiana, born in Ran-
dolph County, March 20, 1870. He is a son of S. H. and Judith M.
(Faulkner) Templin.

The parents of Mr. Templin came to Wells County when he was one
year old and he grew up on the farm on which his father still resides.
He attended the district schools in early boyhood and later on, when
his strength permitted, a.ssisted on the farm through the summers and
attended school in the winters. With his time thus pleasantly and use-
fully divided he remained with his father until his marriage, when he
began farming for himself on a tract of forty acres, on which he con-
tinued for two years. At that time workers were in demand in the
Blackford County oil fields, and as wages were high Mr. Templin went
to work at Montpelier and continued connected with the oil industry for
six years, when changed conditions came about and in 1902 he moved
back to Wells County.

Upon his return to this section, ^Mr. Templin decided to resume agri-
cultural operations and soon purchased his present farm which he has
developed into one of the best properties in the county. He has made
many improvements and these include the erection of the substantial
and attractive farm buildings and the introduction in them of many com-
forts and modern conveniences. He devotes his attention to general
farming.

Mr. Templin was married January 28, 1893, to iliss Olive Settle,
who was born in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana, Decem-
ber 6, 1873, and was educated in the local schools and the high school
at Montnelier. She is a daughter of AVinfield S. and Elizabeth (Albert-
son) Settle. The father of Mrs. Templin died in JIarch. 1903. Her
mother resides in Nottingham Township, near Phoenix. Indiana. Mr.
and I\Irs. Templin have two children, a son and daughter, Lawrence E.
and Helen. The former is a graduate of the Petroleum High School and

556 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

attended normal seliools at .Muneic and Angola and is one of the success-
ful and popular teachers at Petroleum. He married 'Slavy Pontius, who
is a daug-hter of John Pontius, a well known resident of Adams County,
Indiana. They have one child, Virginia Nell, who was born Octolier 1,
1917. iliss Helen is also a graduate of the high school at Petroleum.
Jlr. Templin and his family belong to the L^nited Brethren Church at
Petroleum and take active part in its various agencies for good. Mr.
Templin is a stanch repulilican in polities because he believes thoroughly
in its principles.

Andrew B. Williams has been a resident of Wells County thirty
years, and has l:)een substantially identified with the farming and agri-
cultural enterprise of this county ever since. His home is a well situ-
ated and admirably improved little farm on Eural Route No. 2 from
Ke.vstone in Chester Township.

Mr. Williams was born in Blackford County. Indiana, ilarch IT,
1866, a son of Andrew B. and Polly (Bugh) Williams, the former a
native of Ohio and the latter of Blackford County, Indiana, where they
married after he came out of Ohio. Their home was on a farm in Black-
foi-d County, and they were parents of ten children, five sous and five
dausrhters : Andrew B. ; Henry, deceased ; Joseph and Oliver of Mont-
pelier; Jennie, wife of Scott Swartz; Lydia. wife of George Bru-
baker ; Sarah, wife of Lewis G. Lancaster : ^Mary. wife of Charles
]\IcGeath ; James and Emma, both deceased.

Andrew B. Williams was reared on a farm, was educated in district
schools in his native county and lived at home until his father died.
For his first wife Mr. Williams married Esther Shields, daughter of
William Shields. She died childless, and for his second wife he married
Elizabeth Cook, widow of J. Cook. Mrs. W^illiams is a native of Wells
County, and daughter of John J. Twibell, was educated here in the com-
mon schools, and was the mother of one child, now deceased. She is an
active member of the ilethodist Episcopal Church at Montpelier. :\Ir.
Williams is a republican voter.

Ralph C. Thomas, a soldier of the Spanish-American war, is super-
intendent of the Elm Grove Cemetery, of Bluff ton. The cemetery asso-
ciation was incorporated in 1902, and in 1905 ^Ir. Thomas entered upon
his duties as superintendent. It is largely due to his good management
and efficient care that this has become one of the finest burial places of
the dead in the entire county.

Mr. Thomas was born at Bluflfton in Harrison Township of Wells
County July 4, 1879, a son of William E. and Jennie (Cole) Thomas.
His father was born in WXvne County, Ohio, in 1853, and the mother
was born July 12, 1855. William E. Thomas accompanied his parents
to Wells County, Indiana, about 1856. His father Eli Thomas located
on a farm three-quarters of a mile southeast of Murray and was a well
known citizen in that community for many years, being prominent in
the democratic party and served as trustee of Lancaster Township.
William E. Thomas grew up on the old home farm and in early life he
taught school in Wells County. After his marriage he located at Traves-
ville and conducted a general store for three years. In 1877 he moved
to Blutfton and established the Star B:ikery, an institution still en.ioying
a flourishing existence and still conducted under the old name. He con-
tinued aiving his personal attention to this business until his death in
1884. William E. Thomas was a man of quiet and unassuming disposi-
tion, sought none of the conspicuous honors of politics or of public life,
but had the faculty of binding tc himself scores of close and intimate

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 557

friends. His only fraternity was the Knights of Honor of which he
was a charter member. He and his wife had five children : Mande,
deceased, who married J. S. Grames; Kalph C; Effie, wife of H. R.
Curtner, of Marion, Indiana : Gertrude, wife of Harry Steele, of Seattle,
Washington ; and Cora, wife of Alfred Schmueh, of Kendallville,
Indiana.

Ralph C. Thomas was over five years of age when his father died,
and lie and his oldest sister Maude were then taken into the family of
George DeLong of Lancaster Township. ]Mr. DeLong was a real father
to him and ilr. Thomas, who is a man who never forgets a kindness, has
always shown the greatest of gratitude to the memory of this gooil old
Wells Comity citizen. Mr. DeLong was born in Ohio and came to Wells
County as a pioneer in 1842, settling northeast of Bluti'ton where he
entered 160 acres of land. He was an old soldier, having enlisted in
Company A Thirty-fourth Indiana Infantry with Captain Swain, and
was with his regiment through most of its service. At the battle of
Champion Hill during the Vicksburg campaign he was wounded.
Mr. DeLong was an active republican and passed awav November 7,
1899.

Ealph C. Thomas acquired his principal early education in the old
Toll Gate School. He learned the lessons of loyalty from the lips of his
adopted father, and at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war
enlisted in Company E, 160th Indiana Infantry. He was in service one
year, and the regiment was part of the expeditionary forces to the island
of Cuba, where it remained three months. After the war ilr. Tliomas
returned to farm life, and in the fall of 1899 married iliss Ethel L.
Masterson, daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Kunkel) Alasterson.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have six children: Howard E., Dorothy, .Mary
and Martha, twins, Catherine and Ruth. Howard was graduated frmn
the high school of Blutfton with the class of 1917. ilr. Thomas is a mem-
ber of the ilethodist Episcopal Church while his wife belongs to the
Christian deiioinination. He has filled all the offices except that of
wiii'sliipful master in Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted
ilasons. He has been active in county politics as a republican even
before he was twenty-one years of age, and has done much to keep up
and maintain the party organization.

-Maxdeville W. ilcCLAix, il. D. One of the leading medical prac-
titioners and able surgeons of Wells County is Dr. i\Iandeville W.
^IcClain. who has a satisfactory practice at Vexa Cruz, where he is one
of the prominent and public spirited citizens. Doctor McClain was bnrn
in Nottingham Township, Wells County, Indiana, November 16, 1871,
and is a son of Robert and Caroline (Kelly) McClain.

Robert ilcClain came of Scotch ancestry and was born in Jefferson
County, Ohio, in 1848. He accompanied his parents when they moved
to Wells County, Indiana, and grew to the age of fifteen years on the
home farm in Nottingham Township. Although far too young to he
subjected to the dangers and hardships of a soldier's life, he enlisted in
1863 in Company A, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, under Captain
McGlaughter, and did a man's service until the war closed. He returned
then to Wells County and soon afterward was married to IMiss Caroline
Kelly, whose father, Edward Kelly, was a man of unusual aliility.

Edward Kelly was born in the City of Dublin, Ireland, and in boy-
hood C':"me to the L^nited States with an uncle. He was lionnd out to
learn a trade but managed to secure so thorough a knowledge of law,
studying by himself, that he gained admission to the bar and went into
practice in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he moved to Warren,

558 ada:ms and wells counties

Ohio, where lie mnrried and there engaged for a time in tlie mereantile
business, but failing health caused him to sell his interests there and he
came then with his family to Wells County and was a farmer here until
his death. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Robert ilcClain later moved to a farm near Fiat, in Jay County,
Indiana, on which he remained for a number of years engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits, and then retired to the Village of Pennville. He and
wife reared a family of six children, a.s follows : Emma, who is a grad-
uate of the Pennville High School, is the wife of H. R. Rosenkrans, of
Red Key, Indiana ; Robert R., who is a graduate of the Pennville schools
and also a graduate in the art of telegraphy, is now a farmer near
Fiat, Indiana ; L. H., who is a farmer in Jay County, and Mandeville,
who resides at Vera Cruz, two being deceased.

Through boyhood Mandeville W. ]\IeClain attended the country
schools and assisted on the home farm. He early decided upon his future
professional career and bent every energy to secure adequate medical
training, and after attending the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati,
was graduated from that institution in 1896 with his coveted degree,
having previouslj' completed a medical course at Clarion, Indiana. Since
then, as a progressive practitioner he has attended various scientific
schools of his profession and taken post graduate courses, and was grad-
uated from the Chicago Polyclinic School of ^ledicine, whei-e he had
taken special courses. It is doubtful if Doctor McClain will ever feel
that he knows all there is to learn in his noble science for he recognizes
the mighty progress it is making almost daih% but he is a close student
and understands how to apply new methods in practice and to make use
of the marvelous discoveries that scientific investigation has brought
to light, and his patients profit thereby.

Doctor McClain came to Vera Cruz on May 12, 1897, from his first
professional field at Bluffton, and through medical knowledge and sur-
gical skill, has built up a fine practice. He belongs to Bluffton Lodge
No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks, No. 796. He is a member of the Wells County,
Indiana State and American Medical societies.

In politics, like his father before him, he is a democrat and as a
good citizen is interested in all local matters that concern the health and
wellbeing of the general public. He is the owner of the fine trotter,
Alacer B.. with a record of 2:141/^ and trial mile of 2:10. and has
refused numerous fancy prices for the animal.

Doctor ^McClain was married November, 1900, to ]Miss Blanche B.
North, who was born in Vera Cruz and was a teacher here and also in
the high school of Bluffton for a number of years.

Samuel Warner, It is to be noted that among the prosperous agri-
culturists of Wells County, there are many whose names are associated
with prominent financial interests. These connections are desirable
and tend to lend stability to the banking institutions, particularly in a
fertile agricultural country, where the bank's representative forms a
connecting link between tlie institution and the farmers, wlio form the
greater number of depositors. One of these farmer-banker's is Samuel
AVarner, who in addition to being the owner of a handsome property,
is vice president and a director of the Bank of Petroleum.

Mr. Wanier -was born on a farm in Nottingham Township, Wells
County, Indiana, February 28, 1852, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah
(Gehrett) Warner. His "parents, natives of Pickaway County, Ohio,
grew up, were educated, and married in that community, and there they
resided for several years. The father, however, was desirous of seeking

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 559

another location where his prospects for success would be brighter, and
accordingly made several trips on foot to Wells County, Indiana, look-
ing over the territory. Finally he decided upon a farm in Nottingham
Township, and here he brought his wife, they making their way through
the woods and bringing their small household effects. Through in-
dustry, energj' and perseverance they succeeded in making a home and
cultivating a property and here rounded out their long and honorable
lives in the pursuits of farming. They were faithful members of the
German Baptist Chui'ch and held a place in the esteem and confidence
of their fellow-townspeople. Mr. Warner serving for some years as
supervisor and tnistee of his township. (3f their children, the following
survive : George L., ex-county commissioner of Wells County ; Jona-
than, a resident of Arizona; Samuel, of this notice; Jacob, whose home
is in Chicago; Heniy, a resident of Nottingham Township; Eva, the
wife of George King, of Petroleum, Indiana, and Andrew, who makes his
home in Florida.

Samuel Warner was educated in the district schools of Nottingham
Township, and, reared to the vocation of farming, has never followed
any other line of work. Through good management, attention to busi-
ness and plenty of energetic work, he has succeeded in the accumulation
of a good property and the development of a valuable and productive
farm and is today justly accounted one of the substantial men of his
locality and one whose success has been gained only through the utiliza-
tion of natural abilities and legitimate means. At the organization of
the Bank of Petroleum, he became a director in that institution, and
today also holds the po.sition of vice president, in M^iieh capacity he has
had a share in promoting its welfare and directing it to success. Po-
litically, he is a democrat. He has been somewhat prominent in civic
affairs, .and for six years was a member of the Wells County Council.

ilr. Warner was married in December, 1876, to Miss Louisa Keller,
who was born in Ohio and there reared and educated. When a young
woman she was brought by her parents to Nottingham Township, where
she met and married ilr. Warner. They are the parents of the follow-
ing children : Doctor Elmer, a graduate of the State Normal School,
taught school for several years and then took up the study of medicine,
receiving his degree in 1917 ; jMiss Nettie, who is single and makes her
home with her parents; Albert, who is married and a worker in the oil
fields of Oklahoma; Henry A., at home with his father; and Stella, the
wife of R. L. Bond, of Hamilton, Illinois.

Leo H. Marquart is the leading merchant of Murray, the oldest vil-
lage in Wells County. The settlement was also known as Lancaster and
sometimes called New Lancaster. The first settlers thei'e located at the
beginning of the decade of the '30s, and the village was laid out in
October, 1839. The town is pleasantly situated on the north bank of the
Wabash River and doubtless would have liecome an important city but
for the rivalry of Bluffton and the fact that the railroads passed it by.

ilr. Marquart was born at the Village of Murray October 25, 1894.
and is a son of W. H. and Jennie (Harnish) Marquart. The father is
now engaged in the gTOcei->^ business at Bluffton. W. H. ^larquart came
to Wells Covmty from Adams County, while the mother was born in
Bluffton. They have two sons, Walter and Leo H.

Leo H. Marquart gi-ew up and received a good education, and for a
young man oulj- twenty-three years of age has made a commendable
record in business affairs. He conducts a first class general store at
Murray and keeps a full line of merchandise including dry goods, shoes,
groceries, hardware, drug-s, and automobile supplies. He is a good busi-

5G0 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

ness man, very industrious, aeeoinmodating and has the complete con-
fidence of all the people in that district of the county.

Mr. Marquart votes as a republican, is a member of the Keformed
Cliurch and is affiliated with Lodge No. 92 of the Knights of Pvthias
at Bluflfton.

October 7, 1915, he married Miss Tessie Wilcoxson, daughter of L.
E. and Mary Wilcoxson of Wells County. Her father is still living and
her mother is now deceased. ^Irs. JMarquart has a sister Bessie, wife
of Ernest Landis of Huntington, Indiana, and a brother Donald, un-
married. ]\Ir. and I\Irs. Marquart have one child, IMarv Jane, born in
1916.

James S. Lockwood. A substantial farmer and highly respected and
well known citizen of Wells County, Indiana, is James S. Lockwood, who
was born not far from Keystone, Indiana, June 2-1, 1865. His parents
were James Edwin and Frances (Blaekledge) Lockwood, natives of
Ohio. Of their children the following are living: James S., J. P., Austin
and Charles, the deceased being Vora and W^esley.

James S. Lockwood was reared on the home farm and attended the
country schools. He remained at home until his marriage, which took
place in Wells County, to iliss Ida M. Hiestand, who was a native of
Jay County, Indiana, in which state she was educated. They have had five
children, the three living being as follows : Flossie, who is the wife of
Edgar H. Barrington, a farmer; Zarpha, who is the wife of Floyd Shoe-
maker ; and Lewis M. All the children have had good school advantages.

After his marriage James S. Lockwood farmed his father-in-law's
place for two years and then moved on a place near Petroleum where he
bought forty acres, later added tweutj^ acres and still later buying forty
acres more, still further dealings being in the purchase and sale of other
tracts. He now has a fine farm of 151 acres, all of which he has ac-
cjuired through his industry and good management.

]Mr. Lockwood has long been an active Christian worker and has a
preacher's license in the Methodist Episcopal Church and officiates as a
local preacher. In polities he is a republican.

James Edwin Lockwood, father of James S. Lockwood, is a retired
farmer living in Nottingham Township, Wells County. He was born in
Champaign County, Ohio, April 12, 1842, a son of Alonzo and Eliza
( Stanley ) Lockwood. His father was a native of Maine and his mother
of Pennsylvania and their people came to Champaign County, Ohio.
The parents of Mr. Lockwood came to Indiana and located in Wells
County and in February, 1846, bought land in Nottingham Township.
It was then in the woods and from this wilderness Alonzo Lockwood
carved out a farm. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. They had nine children and those living in 1917 are:
George A., James Edwin, Stanley, Alonzo, Charles and Ann, who is the
widow of Lum Clevinger.

James Edwin Lockwood was four years old when he was brought
to Wells County and as he grew in strength he gave his father assist-
ance in clearing the pioneer farm and remained at home until he was
twenty-one years of age.

Mr. Lockwood was married July 31, 1863, to Frances A. Blaekledge,
who was born on her father's farm in Nottingham Township, ]May 3,
1845, a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Christiiiau) Blaekledge. natives
of Ohio. Her paternal grandfather was one of the first three settlers in
this township and he died here, but ^Irs. Lockwood 's parents sulise-
(juently moved to Nebraska, where her father died. Mr. and Mrs. Lock-
wood have the following children : James S., who is a farmer in Nott-

ADAJIS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 561

ingham Township ; Joseph P., who is a farmer also in Nottingham Town-
ship; Arthur, who lives at Uniondale; Elias, who lives in Nottingham
Township ; Luella S., who is the wife of Samuel Neher, of this township ;
and the youngest son is Charles.

Mr. Lockwood and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and he is a member of the board of trustees. In politics he has
always been a republican. He owns eighty acres of well improved land,
liis liusiness always having been farming. He has some additional in-
terests, however, and is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at
Keystone, Indiana. The Lockwood family has always been one of the
sturdy, upright families of this section, law abiding people who liave
worked in the cause of education and religion.

Charles T. Eversole. ilany of the best farmers in Wells County
are located in Lancaster Townsliip, where local i)ri(le is shown as is
evidenced in substantial and attractive buildings, and where richly
cultivated fields prove their owners to be industrious. One of these well
tilled farms belongs to Charles T. Eversole, one of the township's most
respected citizens.

Charles T. Evei"sole was born in Wells County, Indiana, April 14,
1855. His parents were Jacob and Susannah A. (IMiller) Eversole. His
fatlier was born in Lanc:isti'i- Township. Fairfield Ciunty. Ohio. October

14, 1824, and died Febnuiry L'4, lIMHi. His iiKitlier wiis I'lorii in Windsor
Township, York County, reimsyhaiiia, Mai'cli \'>. l^^li, and died April

15, 1871. They came to Indiana in November, 1854, traveling in
pioneer fashion, and settled on a tract of eighty acres in Lancaster
Township, not far from Blufftou. Later they sold that and then moved
into Koek Creek Township and bought eighty acres there and that con-
tinued the home of ^Mr. Eversole 's parents as long as they lived. They
had the following children : AVilliam H., Mary Ellen, deceased, Jacob
]\I., Clara, Charles T., Wilson S., Laura S., deceased, Louise, Frank P.,
Zena Jefi'erson, Sarah Catherine, Laura, deceased. They were all care-
fully reared and were taught from childhood the value of industry and
the principles of right living.

Charles T. Eversole attended the district schools in boyhood and
grew up on his father's farm and has made farming his main busint'ss
in life. Years of experience have taught him the most profitable methods
and he is progressive enough to make use of good machinery and to keep
thoroughly abreast of the times in modern agricultural development.
;\Ir. Eversole owns forty acres, on which he carries on general farming
and raises some stock. He has everything very comfortable for himself
and family, having put up new buildings since he purchased the place,
which was already cleared, on March 1, 1905.

Mv. Eversole was married November 21, 1879, to ^liss Anna M.
Myers, who is a daughter of Jacob and Martha Myers. ]\Irs. Eversole
had the following brothers and sisters: Simeon, Joseph, Orrin, Benja-
min. James. William, Martha, deceased, Elizalwth, deceased, Lucy, and
Louise and Sarah, deceased.

To Mr. and ilrs. Eversole the following children have been born :
Leroy, who married Ennna Otto, of Hammond, Indiana ; Zepha ilay, at
home; Pearl, who is the wife of Fred Houtz, a farmer in Lancaster
Township; and Susan ilartha, and Frances Hazel, both of whom live
at home. ilr. Eversole and his son vote with the democratic party.
They are both sound, reliable, upright men and good citizens, but neither
have been seekers for political office. Mr. Eversole belongs to Lodge
No. 259, Knights of Pythias, at Uniondale, Indiana.

562 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Amos W. Sawyer is a native of Wells Countj- and is now usefully
and successfully employed as a practical farmer in Nottingham Town-
ship. His home is on rural route No. 7 out of Bluifton. Mr. Sawyer has
improved and developed his eight.y acres and besides raising the staple
crops in this state is handling some first class livestock. He has always
borne the reputation of being a hard working man in his business and
a public spirited citizen in connection with evei-y local movement for
improvement and betterment. His farm is in section 16 of Nottingham
Township.

Mr. Sawyer was born in a log cabin in Nottingham Township Sep-
tember 5, 1862, a son of John A. and Malinda (Warner) Sawyer. The
father was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, May 16, 1833, and
lived to the venerable age of eighty-four years. His death occurred
January 10, 1918. His first wife, ]\Ialiuda Warner, was born in Ohio and
died in 1866. By their marriage there were three children : Amos W. ;
George W., of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; and Malinda, who was never
married and is living at home. The Sawyer family came to Wells County
in 1857, and for many years John A. Sawyer was a practical and in-
dustrious farmer, and has alwaj's been identified with the Evangelical
Church. He married for his second wife Lucinda Shoemaker. The chil-
dren of that marriage were: William H., deceased; Elizabeth E., who
married W. H. Leist ; ilary E., wife of ililt Zoll ; Andrew J., who lives in
Nottingham Township ; Clara A., wife of L. E. Deam of Bluffton ; Cora A.,
wife of Charles E. Taylor of Copemish, Michigan ; Jennie L., wife of
Oscar Thompson of Harrison Township, Wells County; Effie il., wife of
John Van Emon, living near ilurray ; Susan, wife of Homer Crosbie of
Bluifton ; and two others that died in infancy.

Amos W. Sawyer spent his early life on the old homestead in Not-
tingham Township. Besides the advantages afforded by the district
schools he attended the County Normal and also Fort Wayne College.
His higher education was acquired in the intervals of his work as a
teacher. Mr. Sawyer made a notable record as an educator and has to
his credit seventeen terms of school taught, all of them in Nottingham
Township. Since leaving the schoolroom he has made farming his regu-
lar vocation.

j\Ir. Sawyer married for his first wife Mary E. Strain. She was the
mother of six children: Ora A., wife of Jesse Nusbaumer, and before
her marriage she had graduated from the Petroleum High School and
was a music teacher; Raj^mond E. is a graduate of the Petroleum High
School and married Goldie Carney of Jay County, Indiana ; Edna 'SI. is
a graduate of the high school and now the wife of John Rix of Bluff-
ton ; Esther M. ha.s completed the high school w-ork ; Clara L. is member
of the class of 1918 in the high school, and Mary E. is also in high school.
The mother of these children died August 1, 1908. For his present Mife
I\Ir. Sawyer man-ied Lida (Lockwood) Romey, widow of P. E. Romey.
They are active members of the Airline ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church.
Politically Mr. Sawyer is a democi'at.

Jacob Noah Wolfe. An extensive and profitable industry of Wells
County, Indiana, is that carried on by Jacob N. Wolfe, who is pro-
prietor of the celebrated Three-Mile Stock Farm, which is situated 2%
miles east of Petroleum, Indiana. Mr. Wolfe is a noted breeder of
Percheron horses, Shropshire sheep. Barred Rock chickens and ]\Iam-
moth brown turkeys, and in addition is one of the large fanners of this
section.

Jacob N. Wolfe was bom in Preble County, Ohio, September 23,
1844, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shoup) Wolfe. His father

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 563

was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1793, and his
mother was born April 1-i, 1813, in Fredrick County, Maryland. They
were married in Fredrick Countj- in 1831 and then removed to Ohio,
settling near Eaton, in Preble County, and remained there until 1853,
when they moved to Jay County, Indiana. They located on a farm four
miles east of Pennville and that remained their home dm-ing the rest
of their lives. They were quiet, industrious, worthy people. Jacob
N. Wolfe is of English descent and his grandfather's oldest brother,
James Wolfe, was killed at the battle of Quebec, Canada.

Jacob N. Wolfe gi-ew up on his father's farm and a.ssisted from boy-
hood and thus had excellent training in all branches of agriculture. He
has been particularly successful in raising stock and for a number of
years has given a great deal of attention to breeding fine Percheron
horses and at the date of writing owns twenty head of pure bred reg-
istered horses, which have been exhibited and have carried off many
prizes. Some noteworthy animals have been bred on this stock farm,
Gomaux and Ideal, registered 59,609 and 67,829, respectively, in par-
ticular. Mr. Wolfe owns Rock Rov, French No. 98,800 and recorded
No. 99,670.

Mr. Wolfe was married in Wells County, Indiana, to Miss Hannah
L. Lacy, who died September 27, 1887. They had three children, but
only one survives, Edward S., who was born July 20, 1867. He married
Anna Settles and they live at Domestic, Indiana. June 12, 1888, Mr.
Wolfe married Marv J. Reed, whose maiden name was Mary J. Weimer.
Mrs. Wolfe died May 16, 1915.

In politics Mr. Wolfe is a stanch republican and has always been
known as a good and reliable citizen. For many years he has been a
member of the Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to Petroleum Lodge
No. 721, of which he is past noble grand, and is also a member of the
encampment at Bluffton.

Eli French. There are not many families entitled to honorable
mention in this history because of earlier settlement in Wells County
than the French family, for its founder came in 1835 and it has in-
creased and prospered here ever since. The present head of the family
still living on the old homestead, is Eli French, one of Nottingham
Township's most highly respected citizens. He was bom in his parents'
cabin, on the banks of Six Mile Creek, in Harrison Township, February
12, 1854, and is a son of John G. and Lydia (Wiest) French.

John G. French was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, November
27, 1824, and was a son of Joseph and Eliza (Beach) French. They
were natives of Massachusetts who came to Wells County, Indiana, in
1835, when John G. was eleven years old. Here he grew to manhood
and his first marriage took place on February 22, 1849, to Mary Ann
Heller, who died December 25, 1849, leaving one child, Mary, who be-
came the wife of George Mowery. On March 18, 1851, John G. French
was married to Lydia Wiest and the following children were born to
them : Amos. Eli, Henry, William ; Elizabeth, who became the wife of
John Gentis ; John who lives in Michigan ; Hattie, who became the wife of
Jethro Potter. John G. French died November 27, 1897, his wife having
died October 18, 1895. Before his death Mr. French divided his land
among his children, retaining only the homestead for himself. At one
time he owned 500 acres or more. In many ways he was a remarkable
man. He was endowed with stupendous physical strength and at the
same tinie was gifted with a brilliant mind. For his own satisfaction he
completed a course in law and was admitted to practice in the Wells
Circuit Court. His retentive memory and his thorough good fellowship

564 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

rendered him a delightful companion, even in advanced years, and his
reminiscences of pioneer days in this section were as interesting as any
romance ever written. He had many friends for he never forgot a
kindness and never failed to repay many fold. It is a privilege to thus
recall one of the sturdy men of other days who was so long identified
with Wells County and helped make its history.

Eli French assisted his father in boyhood and youth and attended
school at ilorris Chapel and remained at home until twenty-three years
old, when he married. At that time ;\Ir. French had but small capital
but he bought eighty acres of land and in the course of time purchased
an adjoining eighty acres, and also owns a part of the old John G.
French farm. He carries on general farming and has always been con-
sidered a farmer of good judgment and practical ideas.

Mr. French was married March 25, 1877, to Miss Eliza Risley, who
was born in Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, and was reared
and educated there. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
French, as follows : Jennie, who is the wife of Leroy Jacob, of Harrison
Township ; Carrie, who is the wife of Fred Bowman, of Nottingham ;
ilyrtle, who is the wife of Wilson Dunbar, of Linn Grove, Adams
County, Indiana ; Emma, who is the wife of Levi Brown, of Fort Wayne ;
Harriet, who is the wife of Edward Coflfman, living in California; Anna,
who is the wife of Guy Kindell, of Nottingham Township ; lea, who is
the wife of William Grandlienard, of Adams County; Grace, who lives
at home is a high school graduate; and Hazel, who is deceased.

Mr. French and family are active members of the Christian Church
at Linn Grove. He is identified with the Lodge of Odd Fellows at Linn
Grove, and is past noble grand of the lodge. He is a stanch democrat
and a hearty siipporter of party policies and candidates, but he has
never been willing to serve in any public office although exceedingly
well ciualified because of his sound judgment and his high personal
character.

Peter Fr.\ntz. One of the well known men in Wells County is the
venerable Peter Frantz, who a number of years ago gave up the heavier
responsibilities of his farm but still lives in the home which has so many
associations for him and his family, seven miles west of Bluflfton. Mr.
Frantz is over fourscore years of age, was a soldier of the Civil war
on the Union side, and has grown old in the honor and esteem that are the
results of good citizenship, hard work and conscientious performance of
duty to his fellow men. One of the most noteworthy features of his
family, betokening the vigor and sound stock, is the fact that he is the
father of nine children, has sixteen grandchildren and eleven gi-eat-
grandchildren, and altogether there have been thirty-six births among
his direct descendants and not a single death so far recorded.

Peter Frantz was born in Logan County, Ohio, February 27, 1836,
a son of Jacob and Mai'y (Ebersole) Frantz. Jacob Frantz was a son
of David and Elizabeth (Gaist) Frantz, and both were descended from
Swiss ancestoi's who on coming to America located in Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, afterwards moved to Virginia and from there to Ohio.
Peter Frantz was born after his father's death, and afterwards lived in
the home of his maternal grandfather in Clark County, Ohio. At the
age of fourteen he was thrown upon his own resources, and in 1853 he
came to Wells County, Indiana. In 185-1 he made permanent settlement
here, and in 1858 acquired the farm where he now lives. On June 17,
1860, he married Mary J. First. Their lives ran side by side in mu-
tual companionship and the bearing of their burdens and responsibilities
until she passed away in July, 1915, fifty-five years after their marriage.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 565

On August 11, 1862, Peter Frantz enlisted in Company B of the
One Hundred First Indiana Infantry, and was in active service until
the close of the war. He weut through many battles and campaigns
without wounds, and for many years has taken an active interest in the
Grand Army, as a member of Bluffton Post. He and his family are all
members of the Friends Church, and in politics he has been a repulilican
without aspiration for public office. Peter Frantz by his industry at
one time had accumulated 500 acres of land, but at the present time his
home estate consists of 160 acres. He came to Wells County poor, made
a generous prosperity for himself and family, and has lived throughout
a life of admirable rectitude and of honor.

He is the father of nine children: Mary H., wife of Floyd Redding;
Winfield B. ; George T. ; Jacob J. ; John A. ; Sarah A., wife of Eufus
Stinson, Daniel C. ; James M. and Charles S. These with their children
and grandchildren constitute a family group of thirty-six, and with
Mr. Peter Frantz represent four successive generations in Wells County
still living.

One of the prominent members of the Frantz family still active as a
farmer is Wintield B. Frantz, whose home is on route No. 1 in Liberty
Township. He was born February 23, 1863, grew up on his father's
home, and was early inured to the heavy discipline of farm life. ]Many
summers as a boy he worked in the woods, hauling logs, and his educa-
tion was confined to the winter terms. On April 7, 1888. he married Miss
Christina V. Sowle, who was born in Liberty Township October 20, 1867,
a daughter of Joshua and Lucinda (Leeper) Sowle. After their marriage
Mr. and ]\lrs. Winfield Frantz located on the farm where they now live.
They have two children : Glemmia, who is the wife of Max Sanders ;
Gerald J., the son, was educated in W^arren, Indiana. Winfield Frantz
is a republican in politics, and is making a success of his business as a
practicil farmer, with eighty acres of land under his ownership and
control.

John A. Frantz, another son of the venerable Peter Frantz, also lives
on Rural Route No. 1 in Liberty Township. He was born ir. that town-
ship and has spent practically all his life there. He received a common
school education, and in November, 1898, married Mollie Connor. They
have one daughter, Mary, born in February, 1900, and now a graduate of
the common schools. John Frantz is a republican. His farm comprises
eighty acres in section 10, Liberty Township, and he has been duly pros-
perecl in all his labors and efforts. He has the distinction of being the
only owner in Wells County of a $2,000 Libertj' Bond.

Abner Ch.\lfant. There is hardly a better known name in Wells
County than that of Chalfant. As a family they have lived here since
pioneer times and their record through all the years shows them to have
been hard and earnest workers, farmers, handling their business affairs
with spirit and energy, and at the same time public spirited in all their
relationship with the larger movements of the community.

This worthy record has been upheld and continued bv ilr. Abner
Chalfant, a successful farmer now living in Bluffton and also a banker
of Poneto. ilr. Chalfant was born on a farm in Harrison Township, on
the southwest quarter of section 25 in that township June 11, 1859. He
is a son of Reason and Catherine (Valentine) Chalfant. Reason Chal-
fant was a son of Chads and Nancy (Ferguson) Chalfant. Chads Chal-
fant, who was born at Chads Ford in Pennsylvania, moved in early
life to Ohio, married in Perry County, and in 1837 came to Indiana and
located in the wilderness of Wells Covinty. He entered the .southwest
quarter of section 25 of Harrison Township, and thus acquired the land

566 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

wliich later developed as a good farm was the scene of Abiier Chalf ant's
birth and early rearing. Chads Chalfant was a man equal to all the
emergencies and exigencies of pioneer life. He built a log cabin home
and on his old farm he lived out the rest of his years. He died in Febru-
ary, 1883. He and his wife had the following children : Reason, Robert,
Elizabeth, Lydia, Mercey, Mary and Sarah.

After his marriage Reason Chalfant settled on the old homestead,
and thus kept that land within the family ownership. He was an in-
dustrious and capable farmer but otherwise was quiet and unassuming,
and sought none of the honors of public life. He voted as a republican.
His children were : Abner, "William, now deceased, Robert D. and
Clara, wife of Charles Gentes.

The earl}' life of Abner Chalfant was spent on the old homestead, and
he was a pupil in the district schools up to the age of seventeen. He
made good use of his advantages while in school and soon after leaving
was qualified to teach. This vocation he followed successfullj' until after
his marriage. On September 30, 1883, Mr. Chalfant married Emma
Schoch. She was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 1, 1858,
daughter of B. W. and Elizabeth (Wann) Schoch, who came to Wells
County when Mrs. Chalfant was a girl. Mrs. Chalfant grew up here
and received her education in the local schools.

After their marriage Mr. and ]Mrs. Chalfant rented the old home-
stead and in 1888 acquired it by purchase. There they lived and made
the prosperity which enabled them in January, 1915, to move to the
City of Bluffton, where they now enjoy the comforts of a good home.
Mr. Chalfant still owns 200 acres of land in Harrison Township. He is
also a stockholder and is president of the Bank of Poneto. This institu-
tion when first established had the following officers: S. C. Shepherd,
president; F. M. Buckner, vice president; Robert Lee, cashier. The
directors at present are Abner Chalfant, F. 'SI. Buckner, J. N. Neff,
George Toms, Horatio Grove, A. S. Brown, and Frank Gavin, all well
known and substantial men of Wells County.

Mr. and Mrs. Chalfant have three children. Pearl after finishing the
work of the common school, attended school at Bluffton and Marion
Normal. The son. Brent, is a practical farmer and married Ida M.
Captain. Harry, also a farmer in Harrison Township, is a graduate of
the common schools. He married Blanche Page. Mr. Abner Chalfant
and family are members of the Bethel ilethodist Episcopal Church and
he has taken much part in the work of that society. Politically he is a
republican.

John B. JLller's career in Wells County has been such as to make
him known as a liusiness man, and while formerly engaged in farming
he has for a number of years been a grain dealer and in that capacity
has come in touch with a large number of the agricultural producers of
this section. He is now head of a successful grain and elevator company
at I'niondale in Rock Creek Township.

Mr. Miller was born in Rock Creek Township of this county October
30, 1871, a son of William and Susan (Bender) Miller. This is a family
that has been identified with Wells County for over sixty-five years.
William Miller died in February, 1897, but his widow is still living.

William Miller was born in Maryland November 3, 1824, .son of
Frederick and Susan (Paulus) Aliller, l)oth of whom were natives of
Pennsylvania and of German ancestry. William ]Miller, who was the
seventh son and eleventh child in a family of fourteen, was three years
of age when his j^arents moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and a number
of vears later the family went to Franklin County, where his father

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 567

speut the rest of his life as a farmer. William Miller had only the
advantages of the subscription schools taught in a log cabin. He was
about twenty-seven years of age when, in 1851, he came to Wells County.
With his brother he bought a tract of 200 acres of heavily timbered
laud in Rock Creek Township. Possessed of energy and ambition to
acquire homes of their own, they went steadily ahead with the clearing
of this land and had much of it in cultivation before the Civil war broke
out. Duriug that war the brother died aud the entire tract then came
into the possession of AVilliam Miller. William Miller was also a brave
soldier of the Union army, having enlisted August 15, 1861, in Com-
pany B of the One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry. He was out
three years aud had perhaps more than an average share of the experi-
ences aud hardships of soldier life. In the battle of Chickamauga Sep-
tember 19, 1863, he was wounded in the left hip and was captured and
kept prisoner for twelve days. He rejoined his regiment May 1, 1864,
and after that was with the army until the close of the rebellion. After
the war he took up the active cultivation of his farm in Rock Creek
Township and the management of that land was the basis of his pros-
perity. He was a democrat in politics before the war but afterward
voted as a republican. He was elected township trustee in 1SS6. Both
he and his wife were members of the Lutheran Church. On March 3,
1859, William Miller married Susan Bender, a native of Pennsylvania
but reared in Wells County from the age of about eleven years. Seven
children were bom to William ^Miller and wife : Franklin T., Barbara
E., who married John Staver, AVilliam S., Lvdia M., John B., Charles
H., and Ada M.

John B. Miller thus grew^ up in one of the good rural homes of Wells
County, had an education in the local schools, from which he graduated
in 1887, and for the next five years was an earnest aud hard working
farmer.

His business career began in 1892, at the age of twenty-one, when
going to Bluffton he became associated with the Studabaker & Sons Grain
and Seed Company. He became one of the trusted and elBcient men of
that organization and continued with it until July, 1914. For several
years he had been manager of the Davison Elevator at Uuiondale, which
he bought in 1911. In January, 1915, he moved his home to Uuiondale
and bought the Newhard Elevator, then organizing what is now known
as the ililler & Brickley Grain Company. He is president of this com-
pany and his wife is vice president.

On November 27, 1896, Mr. Miller married Hilary E. Ditzler, daugh-
ter of John R. and Catherine B. (Brickley) Ditzler. The Ditzler fam-
ily is an old and prominent one of Wells County, and her uncle, George
C. Ditzler, was a prominent lumberman who practically founded the
village of Uuiondale. Mrs. ^Miller's brothers and sisters are: John C,
deceased; Nora, wife of C. Meyers, of Fort Wayne; and Pearl, w-ife of
Dr. Earl Higgins, of Wells County. 'Sir. and Mrs. Miller have a family
of six children : Lela ]\I., Mabeline, Naomi I., Mary L., Margaret Pau-
line, and Robert J. Robert, the youngest, is now deceased. Lela, Mabel-
ine and Naomi are all graduates of the Bluffton High School aud the
other two daughters are attending the local public schools.

Rev. William H. D.\niel. A man of strong personality, deep con-
secration, and extreme earnestness of purpose, the late Rev. William H.
Daniel, of Decatur^ Adams County, was for many years a recognized
force in the Jlethodist Episcopal denomination, and was widely known
throughout northern Indiana as an active and efficient worker "in relig-
ious and charitable undertakings. A sou of Thomas Daniel, he was

568 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

born, April 10, 1S4S, in Wayne County, Indiana, and died at his home,
iu Decatur, Indiana, February 5, 1908.

Hiram Daniel, his paternal grandfather, was born in Fairfax County,
Virginia, being descended from a family of much prominence. Al)Out
a century ago, he came with his wife to Indiana, settling as a pioneer
in Wayne County. Buying a tract of land that was* still in its virgin
wilderness, he improved a good farm, and there both he and his faithful
companion spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring at
the age of eighty-six years, and hers at the age of ninety years. They
were active members of the ^Methodist Church, and reared their ten
children in the same faith.

Thomas Daniel grew to manhood on the home farm, and soon after
attaining his majority married Louise Edwards, whose parents had
come from Vii-ginia to Wayne County about the same time that the
Daniel family did, and had converted a tract of heavily timbered land,
l.ying in the vicinity of Richmond, into a productive homestead, on
which they subsequently spent their remaining days. They were Qua-
kers in religion, and like their neighbors, the Daniel family, wei'e very
.successful in their agricultural labors. They reared a large family,
sixteen children, and many of the descendants of both families are still
living in Indiana, in Richmond, and in Anderson.

William H. Daniel received excellent educational advantages when
young, and after his graduation from the Anderson High School
attended the old Fort Wa.yne College. Having in early life manifested
strong religious tendencies, he chose the ministry almost as a matter of
course, and in 1872 was ordained as a minister of the gospel. The ensu-
ing two years, Mr. Daniel had charge of the Leo circuit, in Allen County,
after which he served for one year at Coesse, Whitley County, in both
pastorates meeting with eminent success in his work. Remaining in
that county, he then spent three years in Columbia City, from there
going to Auburn, De Kalb County, and one year later to Peru. Miami
County, where he served ably and satisfactorily as pastor for two yeai-s.
From there ilr. Daniel went to Logansport for a term of three years,
and from there to Union City for another three years of good work. He
was then appointed pastor of Grace Church at Kokomo, Indiana, but
on account of ill health was forced to give up preaching for awhile in
Indiana. He subsequently accepted a position as pastor of Hamline
University, St. Paul, ilinnesota.

One year later, his health being much improved, Mr. Daniel accepted
the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Richmond.
Wayne County, where he remained five years, his long term of service
bearing evidence of his pastoral ability and fidelity. In 1898 ^Ir. Daniel
accepted the pastorate of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of
Decatur, and at the end of two years was made district superintendent
of the Fort Wayne district, having in that capacity the charge of thirty-
six churches. As superintendent, he performed all of the duties devolv-
ing upon him ably and acceptably, but at the end of four years he was
forced, on account of failing health, to give up the position. Being then
superannuated, he settled in Decatur, where his death occurred a few
years later, as previously noted.

Mr. Daniel married, at Fort Wayne. Indiana, soon after his gradua-
tion from the university, ]Miss Emma L. Birch, who was born in Wells
County, Indiana, in 1852, a daughter of Rev. William S. Birch, D. D.
Her grandfather, Benjamin Birch, came from Ohio to Indiana in pioneer
days, settling in the northern part of the state, where he liecame promi-
nent in local aifaii-s. He was a contractor, and during the building of
the Erie Canal had supervision of a part of the work. Rev. W. S. Birch

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 569

was born iu eastern Ohio, in 1824, and came with his parents to Luli-
ana, where he was educated for the ministry. In 1S4S he began his
ministerial labors as a circuit rider, having eight counties in his large
circuit, and although Fort Wayne was the circuit center he lived In
Wells County. He spent nearly half a century in Northern Indiana,
and for twenty-two years served as district superintendent. For a num-
ber of terms he was a trustee of De Pauw University, which conferred
upon him the well-merited degree of Doctor of Divinity. He spent his
last days in Kokomo, Indiana, his death occurring ilarch 29, 1895, dur-
ing his service as distrii-t MipiM-iiitendent. The maiden name of the wife
of Rev. Mr. Birch was Cyiiilii.-i Stevens. She was born in Ohio in 1826,
and died, July 12, l89:i. in Ki.k(]iiio, Indiana.

ilrs. Daniel, who graduated from the classical departmeiit of the
old Fort Wayne College with tlie class of 1872, is a woman of culture
and ability, whom it is a pleasure to meet, either as a friend or co-worker.
The daughter of a minister, and a minister's wife, having spent fifty-
two years of her life in the parsonage of a pastor of the :Methodist Epis-
copal Conference of Northern Indiana, and each and every year since
a girl has she spent in active work. She has been a teacher of vocal and
instrumental music; she was made the secretary, in 1869, of the first
foreign missionain- society organized by the ]Methodist Episcopal Church
in Indiana; she has been one of the foremost in supporting all local
boards of charities and home missions, and in the work of the church
conferences. Assisted in organizing the Northern Indiana Woman's
Home Missions, which she served for twelve years as president, and of
which she has been vice president for the past ten years. After the
declaration of war by President Wilson, ilrs. Daniel was made one of
the leaders of the Local Defense of Adams County, and has lieen one of
the moving spirits in the good work being done by the organization.

In 1912 ilrs. Daniel purchased her present attractive home on North
Second Street. It is a large, fourteen-room house, occupying a full half
block, built in colonial style, and modernized into a most conveniently
arranged dwelling, with a fine landscape lawn, on which are beautiful
shade trees and shrulibery, and a well planned tennis court for pleasure
seekers.

Mrs. Daniel has two children. Harry R. and Grayce B, Harry R.
Daniel, a graduate of Hamline University, and of the Emerson School
of Oratory, in Boston, ^Massachusetts, has been national secretary of the
American Society of Thrift, which has been, and is being, adopted by
many of the colleges and universities of the country. He possesses high
mental attainments, and is well known in literary circles as a man of
talent and ability.

Grayce B. Daniel was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan LTniversity, in
Delaware, Ohio, and is a woman of many accomplishments. She married
Chalmers C. Shafer. a prominent harness manufacturer of Decatur, and
they have three children : Gretchen, Frederick, and Daniel.

John Bell. Two occupations, those of farming and merchandising,
are occupying the energies and abilities of John Bell, one of the well
known residents of the Poneto community of Wells County, and in both
vocations he has met with success. When properly conducted in a farm-
ing community, the general store is not only a necessary and much
appreciated commercial ad.junct but also the medium through which the
proprietor can add to his income through a knowledge of values and
produce and his close connection with the tillers of the soil. Mr. Bell
is one of the self-made men of his communitv. and the not inconsiderable

570 ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES

success which has rewarded liini has been fairly and honorably won
without outside assistance.

Mr. Bell was born on a farm in Chester Township, Wells County,
Indiana, ]March 12, 1854, and is a son of James and E valine (Bentley)
Bell, the former a native of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and
the latter of Ohio. The family has been represented in Wells County
since November, 1842, and for the greater part its members have been
agriculturists, although business and the professions have also had its
members in their ranks. James Bell was an agriculturist and a man of
some note in his community, serving several times as trustee of Chester
Township and as commissioner of Wells County. A stanch democrat,
he took an active interest in politics and was considered one of the
strong men of his party in his locality. He belonged to the Christian
Church, in the faith of which he died, as did also Mrs. Bell, who passed
away in 1869. Of their ten children, three are living : John ; Lydia, the
widow of John Wood ; and Mrs. ilary J. Campbell, also a widow.

John Bell was reared on the home farm, and given his education in
the public schools, and when sixteen years of age began to work on his
own account. Since that age, when he and his brother took charge of
the home place, he has followed agricultural work, and at the present
time is the owner of a fertile little tract of fortj' acres, where he carries
on general farming in its various departments. He has his farm well
improved with modern buildings and equipment of the model and sub-
stantial kind, and the successful results that have attended his efforts
w^oiild seem to indicate that he is well versed in the methods of agri-
cultural work. For several years past ilr. Bell has also conducted a
general store at the little community known as Bellville, in the Poneto
locality, and carries a full line of goods to supply the needs of the agri-
cultural community in which he is centered. He enjoys a good trade
and also has the reputation of being a straightforward business man of
integrity. Politically, Mr. Bell is a Democrat and has been somewhat
active in public affairs, having served as assessor of his township for
six years, and as deputy for four years, and justice of the peace for six
years. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, at Key-
stone ; aud is prominent iu Odd Fellowship, belonging to Mount Zion
Lodge No. 648, of which he is past grand, and the encampment and can-
ton at Bluffton.

Mr. Bell was married in 1875 to Mi.ss Melissa West, who was born
in Chester Township, Wells County, daughter of Hiram and IMai-y
(Walker) West. To this union there were born three children, of whom
one survives: Sherman, born ilay 12, 1881, a graduate of the public
schools and his father's assistant on the home farm, married Nora
Shadle, and they have one daughter. Opal, born in 1903, a graduate of
the common schools. Sherman Bell is one of the well known young farm-
ers of Chester Towniship, who has a wide circle of friends. He is a
member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, Uniform Rank,
and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Bluffton.

John Wagoner, who for a number of years has lived retired with a
comfortable property both in farm and city real estate, is one of the
oldest native sons of Adams County, and is member of a family that
invaded this country in the early '40s and had to clear away the timber
and the brush before they could establish their humble log cabin home.

His maternal ancestors for generations unnumbered were French
people, lived and died in that country, and his grandfather also spent
his life in France. John Wagoner is a son of the late Nicholas Wag-
oner. Nicholas was born in France July 28, 1830, a son of Johu N.

ADAilS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 571

"Wagouer, who died wlieu his sou was a small child. A little later the
widowed mother brought her ehildreu, three sous and a daughter by a
previous marriage, aud Nicholas, to America, sailing from a trench port
and after weeks ou the occau lauding in New York City. From tiiere
they went to Lancaster, Ohio, where she bought forty acres of laud, aud
iu 1843 the family came to Adams Couutj-, Indiana, aud located in
Washington Township. Here they acquired eighty acres iu the midst
of the woods, built a log house, had au open fireplace for heating aud
cooking, aud a log barn for the shelter of their stock. Near the house
they dug a well, aud it was operated -wath a '"sweep" aud au old oaken
bucket. The grandmother with the aid of her sons cleared up this land
aud there she spent her last years, passing away at the age of eighty-
two. She was an active member of the Catholic Church. Her four chil-
dren grew up aud married aud all of them spent lives of labor aud
achievement aud left large families.

Nicholas Wagouer was about thirteen years old when he came to
Adams County, and had but limited educational advantages, attending
school back iu Ohio for the most part. He had the practice and the
experience that made him a capable farmer when he undertook to sup-
port a family of his own, and at a comparatively early age, January 20,
1848, he married Miss Mary Everhart. She was born iu Harrison
County, Ohio, November 20, 1831, a daughter of John Everhart, who
was of German stock. When ilary Everhart was a small child the fam-
ily came to Adanis County and located ou a tract of new land in Mon-
roe Township. John Everhart steadily cleared away some of the forest
and lived there until his death when past tifty. He married a Miss
Hendricks, who survived him, and died wheu quite au old woman. They
were members of the Protestant religion, and iu practically all the gen-
erations the Wagoners and Everharts have supplied democratic voters.

In the spring following his marriage Nicholas Wagouer settled on a
farm in section 9 of Monroe Towuship. This eighty acres was com-
pletely M-ild aud unimproved and was given to ilrs. Wagoner by her
father. After the manner of pioneers they began their task of making
a home and lived in the greatest simplicity for a number of years. The
good housewife while at work was often interrupted by the coming of
wild animals into her dooryard. The fii-st log cabin was 18 by 22 feet
with puncheon floor aud clapboard roof. That was followed by a double
hewed log house, aud in June, 1865, they completed a substantial frame
residence, where they spent their later years in comfort. Nicholas Wag-
oner was a very successful farmer ancl business man, aud his industry
brought him eventually about 500 acres. As his children left home at
marriage, he gave each of them forty acres or $500 in cash, aud event-
ually he had decreased his estate until it contained 160 acres. For many
years he kept his original log bam as a landmark on the farm, but in
1883 had erected a barn which at the time was regarded as the finest in
the entire township. His good wife died about 1897. She was a very
active worker of the United Brethren Church. Nicholas Wagoner died
July 5, 1912, at the advanced age of eighty-two. He had been a regular
party worker aud voter as a democrat for many years, but exercised
his influence in behalf of his friends rather than himself as a candidate
for office. He and his wife became the parents of six sous aud four
daughters, two of whom died in infancy aud one at the age of sixteen.
The others all grew up and married and had families aud three sons
and three daughters are still living. The names of those who reached
maturitv were John, Samuel S., Marv J.. Ira, Eli, Arminda B., ami
Ettie.

It was in the old log cabin home of his father in IMonroe Township

572 ada:\is and wells counties

that John Wagouer was born March 15, 1849. He grew up on the home
farm, was educated in the common schools, and was with his parents
until nineteen years of age. On August 20, 1868, he married :Miss Sarah
J. Hughes, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, June 26, 1848, a daugh-
ter of Lorenzo and Electa (Wentworth) Hughes. The Hughes family
came to Adams County in 1861 and her parents .spent the rest of their
days in ;Monrce Township. Sarah Hughes was one of a family of ten
children. Her father was a very useful man in the comnuuiity in addi-
tion to clearing up the land and making a home for his family, and
was a lay preacher of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs.' John
Wagoner was for many years active in the United Brethren Church,
and afterwards joined the Evangelical Church at Decatur. She died
March 3, 1917.

After his marriage Mr. Wagoner located on a farm in section 4 of
ilonroe Township, comprising the tract of forty acres given him by his
father. The land was covered with heavy timber, and after getting much
of it in cultivation he began increasing his holdings until he had a well
developed farm of 120 acres. He followed general farming and stock
raising, and was looked upon as one of the men of influence in that com-
munity as long as he lived there. For eight years he was township
supervisor.

Mr. and ]Mrs. Wagoner had six children named William W., Albert
C, Lewis Edward, Ben.jamin F., David W. and Hosea C, the last dying
at the age of three years. William W. died in the prime of life and left
no children. He was superintendent of the Indiana and Grand Rapids
Railroad. Albert C. is agent for the Nickel Plate Railway at McComb,
Ohio, and by his marriage to iliss McDaniel of Spcncerville, Ohio, has
a son Guy. Lewis E. is an operator for the Nickel Plate Railway at
Continental, Ohio, and has two sons and two daughters, Robert, Don,
IMildred and Lotos. The son Ben.iamin F. resides at Denver, Colorado,
and is married but has no children. David W. is a plumber at Decatur,
married an Ohio girl and has one child, Billie, ilr. Wagoner and his
sons are all democrats. While he has not been active in farming for a
number of years, he still owns foi'ty acres of farm land in the county,
and has considerable real estate investments in Decatur.

JoHX E. Shadle. Among the families that have lived in AVells
County for seventy years or more one of the best known in Chester
Township is that which bears the name Shadle, and whose members
have taken a more or less prominent part in the settlement, development
and well being of this community. The family had already done a large
share of pioneer work before John E. Shadle was born. ]\Ir. Shadle 's
individual activities have been carried on in the same locality where
his jiarents settled in pioneer times, and he is now proprietor of a pro-
ductive and well managed farm in Chester Township on Rural Route
No. 1 out of Keystone.

Only- a quarter of a mile north of his present home Mr. Shadle was
born September 10, 1865. He is a son of the venerable Philip and Mar-
garet (Donnelly) Shadle. Philip Shadle is a i-emarkable instance of
longevity, and despite his hardships and experiences as a pioneer in
Wells County is still living at the venerable age of ninety-two. He was
born in Lebanon County. Pennsylvania, April 14, 1825, son of Philip
and Marv (:\IcGlade) Shadle. 'His father was a native of Center
County, Pennsylvania, while Mary McGlade was two years old when
her parents came from Ireland. The grandparents married in Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania, and for twenty-tive years made their home in
Lebanon County. In 1836 they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, a

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 573

^ear later to Holmes County, and in the fall of 18^7 traded the Ohio
farm for 110 acres of wild land in Wells County, Indiana. Philip
Shadle, Sr., was a carpenter by trade and hewed out the logs for his
home in Wells County and made the first substantial house of the kind
in Chester Township. His wife died in Wells County in January', 18.55,
and he passed away in 1874.

The venerable Philip Shadle was reared and educated in Ohio, and
in Wayne County that state married August 7, 1845, Miss JMargaret
Donnelly, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of John and Fannie
(Singer) Donnelly, also natives of Pennsylvania. The Donnelly fam-
ily moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne Couuty, Ohio, about 1835 and
in 1850 went to Holmes County, Ohio. Philip Shadle brought his fam-
ily to Wells County the year after his father's settlement, and located
on a tract of si.xty-five acres of the old homestead. He looked after the
farm while his father followed his trade as a carpenter, and being a
man of great strength and industry he cleared up with the assistance
of his children fully 150 acres of the virgin land of Chester Township.
He became owner of a fine farm and he kept in close touch with its
operations until advanced years. His good wife was born January 14,
1829, and their companionship was one of remarkable length, being ter-
minated after more than seventy j-ears by her death on January 21,
1917. For years they were faithful members and active workers in
the United Presbyterian Church. Philip Shadle was a man of affairs
in his township and county, was township trustee six years, and as a
republican at one time was chairman of the Republican Committee in
his home township. He and his wife had a large family of fifteen chil-
dren, and six sons and two daughters are still living : William A., James
N., Lucetta, wife of John Godfrey ; Reason, Samuel, John, Eli and
Ada, wife of Frank Stair.

Mr. John E. Shadle grew up on the old homestead a (lUarter of
a mile from his pi-esent home, attended the common schools, and was
a factor in clearing the land and cultivating the fields on his father's
place until he was twenty-five years of age. He then married Miss
Rilla A. Perry, daughter of Walter Perry. Mrs. Shadle is also a
native of Chester Township. After their marriage they began house-
keeping on the farm of eighty-eight acres, where they still live, and
from that point I\lr. Shadle has developed his notably successful indus-
try as a general farmer and stock man. He has been a breeder and
raiser of some of the best stock in the township, and handles Hampshire
sheep, Duroc hogs, Shorthorn cattle, and has always been up to date
and progressive in every line of activity. Politically he votes as a
republican. Mr. and Mrs. Shadle have one son, Pasco E., born August
29, 1892. This son married Nellie Graves, and is now the father of
two children, Wayne aiid Lena, grandchildren of Jlr. and Mrs. Shadle.

WiLLi.vM H. DiTZLEK has been prominently identified with the lum-
ber industry for a number of years and is now active in the firm of the
Ditzler Hardwood Company at Bluffton. He grew up in the atmos-
phere of lumber milling, his father having been at one time operator
of the largest saw mill in Wells County. William H. Ditzler was born
in Lancaster Township of Wells County March 5, 1880, a son of George
C. and Laura E. (Teeple) Ditzler.

George C. Ditzler, who now lives witli his wife at Markle, Indiana,
was bom in Crawford County, Ohio, a son of George and Catherine
(Sauerbaugh) Ditzler, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1864 the Ditzler
family came to Wells County, settling in Rock Creek Township on the
Wabash River. George C. Ditzler grew up on that farm and when a

574 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

young man bought a saw mill at Murray. He sold that in 1882 and
took a large contract to furnish material for the building of the old
Chicago & Atlantic, now tlie Erie Railroad, then in progress of con-
struction through Wells County. To supply this material George C.
Ditzler built a mill at Uniondale, and for several years it was the chief
sawmill of Wells County, with an annual capacity of over 2,000,000
feet of lumber.

George C. Ditzler was the pioneer of Uniondale, his mill being the
principal industry of the village, and his home was the first one com-
pleted there. All the first houses were built from lumber cut in his
mill. His second son, Charles F., was the first cliild boim at Uniondale,
on December 5, 1882. There was one other son, Ray L., who is now in
the produce business at Markle, Indiana, and also interested in branch
houses at Roanoke and Huntington. Ray Ditzler married Fern Rairick.
A daughter of George C. Ditzler, Eva M., is the wife of Floyd E.
Thomas, a miller at Markle, Indiana. Charles F. Ditzler, above referred
to, is a farmer in Huntington County, Indiana, and married Bessie
Nicholson.

George C. Ditzler married Laura Teeple on February 6, 1879. She
was born in Butler Count.y, Iowa, in 1857, and her father, Samuel
Teeple, entered the Union army at the outbreak of the Civil war and
died while still in service.

William H. Ditzler spent his first few years at Mui'ray and Union-
dale, but from the age of six was reared on the old farm in Rock Creek
Township. He attended the Sugar Grove school house, and afterw-ards
had one term of instruction in the Northern Indiana Normal School
at Valparaiso. For a year and a half he was a student in Witteuberg
College at Springfield, Ohio. ilr. Ditzler had three terms of experience
as a teacher in Wells and Allen counties.

On April 28, 1901, he married iliss Ivy Lesh, daughter of George
W. and Christina (Logan) Lesh. Her father was a native of Wells
County and her mother was born on the old Logan homestead in Rock
Creek Township, ilrs. Ditzler also attended the Sugar Grove school
in Rock Creek Township.

After his marriage Mr. Ditzler moved to his father's farm in Rock
Creek Township, and was there two and a half years, and in July, 1903,
came to Bluffton and for nine months was employed in the Cline Chair
& Sawmill Company. He then went to southern Indiana and at Albany
was in the sawmill business three years, and for the next five years con-
ducted a sawmill and lumberyard at Akron, Indiana. Selling his inter-
ests there, he bought a farm in Huntington County a half mile north
of Markle, where his brother Charles now lives, but a year later returned
to Blui¥ton and bought the sawmill which he still owns and operates.
He is an extensive manufacturer of hardwood lumber and has one of
the thriving industries of the kind in Wells County.

Mr. and Mrs. Ditzler have four children : Jennie ]\I., born January
27, 1904; George W., born October 21, 1907: Laura C, born August
4, 1911; and Helen M., bom March 12, 1913. The daughter, Jennie,
is now in the first year of the local high school. Mr. Ditzler and family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Blufl^on and he is
one of the official board. Politically he is a democrat. Among other
business interests he has stock in the Warren Hardwood Company. In
1916 Mr. Ditzler bought what is known as the Studabaker Grove ad-
jacent to the corporation limits of Bluffton on the northwest, and here
he has erected a modern residence, making his home at that place.

Frank Hesher. Among the good farms of Wells County one that
deserves notice on account of its improvements and superior manage-

ADAIMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 575

ment and is also representative of tlie industry and effective work of a
very capable citizen is that of Prank Hesher on Rural Route No. 2 out of
Bluffton in Harrison Township.

ilr. Hesher was born on a farm in Harrison Township April 25,
1882, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ratliif) Hesher. His
parents are still living in Harrison Township, and his father was at one
time superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary.

Frank Hesher grew up on a farm in Harrison and Lancaster Town-
ships and was educated in the common schools. At the age of nineteen
he struck out for himself, working at monthly wages at the infirmary
and with other farmers for about nine years.

On Januai-y 12, 1904, he married Miss Ida Biberstein. She was born
in Harrison Township, daughter of Emanuel Biberstein, and acquired
her education in the common schools.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hesher hired out their services
to a farmer at monthly wages. The nest year they improved their con-
dition somewhat by renting a farm in the township, and after five years
of industry and economj' were able to acquire their present home of
ninetj'-six acres six miles southeast of Bluffton near the old county in-
firmary. Thus all their prosperity is due to their united labors and
good management, and today Mr. Hesher is regarded as one of the
most successful men in the county in the handling of livestock. He is
a breeder of the spotted Poland hogs, of Holstein cattle and Percheron
horses. At a number of fairs and exhibitions his poultry has taken first
premiums. Instead of sliipping his stock to market Mr. Hesher every
year holds a sale when his livestock is eagerly picked up by other stock
men.

Mr. and Mrs. Hesher have a family of four children named Edna,
Glen, Mary and Nora. In politics he is a democrat, but has never held
office and has been content to do his part as a citizen by supporting
such movements as commend themselves to his confidence and .judg-
ment.

Franklin P. McGeath. Away back in 1841 the ilcGeath family
came to Indiana and ever since this family has been esteemed here for
it has been identified largely with tlie upbuilding, the improvement and
the sound citizenship of Wells County. The family is of Scotch-Irish
extraction but came to Indiana from Virginia. One of the well knowii
and worthy representatives of the family is Franklin P. ilcGeath, who
is a general farmer and stoekraiser in Chester Township.

Franklin P. McGeath was bom in Chester Township, Wells County,
August 20, 1851. His parents were James H. and Elizalieth (Foreman)
McGeath, natives of Virginia, who came to Indiana in 1841 when young
people, and were married in Henry County, Indiana. They settled SVo
miles west and a half mile south of the farm on which Franklin P.
McGeath now lives. Their first home was a rude log stiiicture, roofed
over with tree branches, a regular pioneer abode, but the time came when
Mr. McGeath was able to build a large and comfortable house, and tliere
he and wife spent their last years. They were industrious, thrifty people
and more than that, they were kind and neighborly and in all the
country round were held in high regard. They were among the earnest
and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics
James H. McGeath was a democrat and probably served in local offices
for he was a man of good judgment as well as sterling character. Of
his fourteen children those sui-^'iving are: Thomas J., who is a farmer
in Chester Township : Elizabeth, who is the wife of William Bentley, of
Oklahoma : and Franklin P.

576 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Franklin P. MeGeath remained at home and helped his fatiier until
he was eighteen j-ears old and as opportunity offered, attended the dis-
trict schools. In his youth when boys desired money of their own to
spend, their hard-working fathers were very apt to recommend them to
earn it. At that time there were fewer chances for boys to work outside
the home, perhaps, than at present, but Franklin knew that money M-as
paid for some of the wild growths in field and forest and many an hour
he spent searching the fields for ginseng and the forest for ash and
prickley ash bark. These commodities he sold to drug stores in Mont-
pelier. With such creditable ideas of thrift, when ]\Ir. ^IcGeath started
out for himself at the age of eighteen, he soon found self-supporting
work and for the next six years continued to work for farmers and others
by the month. When he had a free capital of $200 he married and
rented land for a short time but soon bought forty acres and later bought
another forty, and then sold his eighty acres to advantage and bought
just across the road from his other land. He retains 120 acres for him-
self but has been genei'ous with his children and in late years has
assisted them in getting homes of their own. Mr. ]\IeGeath has been a
very successful farmer and has given much attention to growing high
grade stock. In addition to his agi'icultural interests, he is a stock-
holder in the Poneto Elevator Company and in the Farmers Bank.

Mr. McGeath was married to Miss ^latilda J. Starr, a daughter of
Benjamin and Matilda (Popejoy) Starr. The father of ^Irs. McGeath
was born in Virginia and the mother in Ohio. They were married in
Wells County, Indiana, and settled on the farm now occupied by E. X.
Cassell. Mr. and Jlrs. jMcGeath have four children, namely : Levi E.,
in Oklahoma, who married Lillie Haven : Iva A., who married Bertha
Harris, also lives in Oklahoma : Retta E., who is the wife of Guy Harris ;
and Rosetta, who is the wife of Robert Groves of Oklahoma. There are
nine grandchildren in the family. In politics Mr. ^McGeath has always
been identified with the republican party. The family belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.

Sephus Miller of Harrison Township, Wells County, represents the
third generation of the ililler family in Wells County, where it was
established about eighty years ago. The interests and the activities of
the family have run along the same line. Stock farming his been their
chief forte. As judges of livestock and experts in handling all branches
of animal husbandry the Millers have made a record hardly surpassed
by that of any other one family. The Millers have bred and raised,
dealt in and shipped horses, mules, cattle and hogs, and it is to the
latter branch that Sephiis ililler gives his chief attention and is widely
known all over Northeastern Indiana on account of his herd of pure
blooded big type Poland China hogs.

The founder of the family in this county was Daniel Miller, a native of
Ohio, while his father before him was a native of Germany. When Daniel
[Miller was a small boy his parents removed to Darke County, Ohio,
where he grew to manhood and married. His first wife died soon after-
wards childless. He then married iliss Eleanor Graves. From Darke
County he came to Adams County, Indiana, and about 1838 moved to
Wells County, where he entered 160 acres of , Government land. On
this he built a home typical of other homes of that time, and proceeded
with the industry and enterprise that were vital parts of his character
to establish himself permanently not only as a farmer but as a factor
in the business life of the community. His means and his affairs grew
until at one time he owned about eight hundred acres of land. He was
one of the largest farmers and one of the largest stock raisers. His

ADAMS AND WP^LLS COUNTIES 577

affairs were greatly prospered during tlie war times wiiich put a premium
upon the products of tlie farm as the people of this generation can
thoroughly appreciate. Daniel Miller was in the high tide of his ac-
tivity when in 1864, while attempting to arrest a horse thief, he was
shot and died from the wound about six hours later. lie and his wife
had seven children.

The oldest of these children was the late John A. MilU'r, who was
born in Darke County, Ohio, August 15, 1836, and was an infant when
brought to Wells County. He had the advantages of the district schools
during the winter mouths and as a boy he showed a disposition to learn
and master the practical business of farming and stock-raising. At the
age of twenty-two he began dealing in stock on his own account, and
with growing experience his judgment became so well defined that many
regarded him as almost infallible in his estimate of any matter con-
nected with livestock, whether from the producing standpoint or in
transactions of trade. He became well known in different stock markets
of the country, and was always a man of the strictest honor and in-
tcgritv. While he inherited some propi'rty as well as other valuable
qualities from his father, he began life little beyond the stage of a poor
man, and it was his own efforts that made him one of the prosperous
citizens of Wells County. He acquired a large farm of 400 acres or
more, and while he was always noted as a good money maker, he was
also known for his liberality and geii-'i'dsity with his means and with his
influence toward any enterprise that (liniHiulfd his co-operation. His
home was one of the most hospitable places in the entire county. He
was broad and liberal in his principles and policies, supported men and
measures that appealed to him in local politics, but in national affairs
was a republican. He was affiliated with Lodge No. 114 of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows at Bluffton.

In 1867 John A. Miller married Miss Sarah ilartin, daughter of
Josephus Martin. She was born in Adams County and was educated
there. They reared six children, Frank, Robert, John, Sephus, Rufus
and Harry.

Sephus Miller was born on his father's farm in Harrison Township
May 12, 1876. He grew up at home, attended the district schools, and
his enterprise and self reliance were on a par with those of his father
and grandfather. At the age of sixteen he started out to make his own
living. He worked' in different lines and finally acquired a modest
capital of his own, sufficient to justify him in marrying and starting a
home.

On September 26, 1899, he married Miss Glerma Bears of Adams
County, Indiana. She was born in that county March 29, 1882, and
was educated in the common schools. After his marriage Mv. Miller
bought the farm where he now lives. He was unable to pay for it at
once, but his industry together with the capable co-operation of his wife,
has not only enabled him to release the farm from debt, but put many
extensive improvements upon it. He has done much ditching and drain-
ing, has cleared away some of the brush and timber, and altogether lias
one of the fine farms of Harrison Township. About 1905 Mr. Miller
started to specialize in the breeding of high grade hogs. For a number
of years he has conducted private sales wliere his animals command the
highest prices, and he now has about fifty of the big type Poland China
hogs in his herd. The herd is headed by Big Leo No. 98825 and Orange
Kid No. 103701.

Mr. and ]\Irs. ]Miller have oue daughter, Mary ]\I., born January 13,
1901. She has finished the work of the common schools and is now in
the third year of the Bluffton High School. The family are members of

578 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

the Sis Mile Christian Church, and Mr. Miller is affiliated with the
Knights of Pythias at Bluffton and in politics is a republican.

John A. Morris has spent his active business life largely in Bluffton
and to the present generation of citizens at least he needs no introduction,
since his business position is one of unassailable advantage and integ-
rity and he is widely known all over this section of Indiana. I\Ir. Morris
is president of the John A. Morris Company and is vice president of the
Morris Company, operating a chain of eighteen five and ten cent stores,
in many Indiana towns.

ilr. Morris was born in Rush County, Indiana, March 25, 1856, a
son of Daniel and Mary (Lockridge) Morris. His mother was a native
of Kentucky, coming to Rush County, Indiana, at the age of twelve
years. His father was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, gi-ew up there,
went to Rush County where he married, and then settled on a farm
3V2 miles north of Rushville at a place called Six Points. He lived
there the life of a farmer on land which he entered from the Gov-
ernment, and his death occurred in 1858 when his son John was two
years of age. He was an active member of the Baptist Church. His
widow survived him to the age of seventy-eight and passed away at
Lebanon, Indiana. She mai-ried a second husband and John A. Morris
went with her to live in Boone Country, Indiana, and a few j'ears later
went to Lebanon.

After the family went to Lebanon John A. Morris began making
his own way in the world, and was employed as a clerk in local stores
for some years. He distinguished himself by his commercial knowledge
and ability even at an early age, and gradually acquired the capital and
influence which enabled him to start a commercial career of his own.

On November 10, 1874, while at Lebanon he married Mary E. Powell.
She was born on a farm five miles east of Lebanon, and grew up prac-
ticed in the duties of home and educated in the local schools. ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Morris had four children, George S. Morris, whose career as an
active Bluffton business man is told on other pages; Flo, wife of Hari-y
McFarren of Bluffton; Elizabeth, wife of C. B. Larrimer of Bluft'ton;
and William D. of Greensburg, Indiana.

Mr. and IMrs. Morris are active members of the Baptist Church at
Bluffton and he is chairman of its finance committeQ and one of the most
liberal supporters of the church and its various causes. He is affiliated
with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted JMasons, and is
also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, the Council of the Knights
Templar Commandery at Bluffton, and is a thirty-second degree Scottish
Rite Mason and Shriner. He also belongs to Bluffton Lodge No. 796
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Morris has always taken an active and intelligent interest in
public affairs, and has done much to promote worthy movements and in-
stitutions in the city where his business career has been spent. Besides
his store he is a stockholder in the Studabaker Bank, in the W. B. Bi'own
Company and the H. C. Bays Company. Politically Mr. ]\Iorris is a
pronounced democrat, and has long been an active and influential figure
in the party though not an office seeker. He was a member of the city
council eight years, and he made that office an opportunity for doing
much well considered and substantial improvement in the municipal
affairs. ]\Ir. Morris is a big hearted liberal citizen and one of the most
useful members of the community. He is now practically retired from
active business and he and his wife spend much of their time in their
cottage at Lake George. They have a beautiful home at 427 West Wiley
Avenue in Bluffton.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 579

Thomas C. Guldin. now serving his second term as surveyor of
Wells County, has worked hard for every honor and success that has
come to him. As a boy he was contributing to the support of the family
by the time he was fifteen, and with himself to look after he managed
to acquire a liberal education through his own earnings and for a long
period of years was one of the most successful teachers in this part of
Indiana.

Mr. Guldin was born on a farm in old Berks County, Pennsylvania,
March 23, 1872. His parents, Jeremiah and Amelia (Lamm) "Guldin,
spent all their lives in that section of Pennsylvania, so rich in history.
Until he was fifteen Thomas C. Guldin grew up on the home farm in
Berks County and had his early advantages in the common schools. In
1887 he came to Wells County, Indiana, where he found employment
with his uncle at monthly wages nn a farm in Lancaster Township. He
worked on the farm steadily throughout the summer months and at-
tended the local district school during the winter. He also put in three
years of work in Rock Creek Township on a farm. During a couple of
years J\Ir. Guldin sent part of his wages back home to his parents. He
made the best possible use of his opportunities to secure an education,
and by attending the county normal secured his first license to teach.
During the winter of 1891-92 he taught a district school in Wells County
and continued the vocation of an educator for nineteen years. Hi's
teaching was done in the intervals of other work and of study in advanced
courses at different schools. He attended Valparaiso University for a
time and has tw-o years of credits with the State Normal School of
Indiana. In 1900-02 Mr. Guldin was principal of the Newville School
and was again with that school from 1908 to 1910. In 1903-04 ilr. Guldin
was deputy county surveyor of Wells County.

In 1914 he was nominated for the office of county surveyor, begin-
ning his official term January 1, 1915. In 1916 he was re-elected.
Mr. Guldin is a practical civil engineer, and has handled the duties of
his office with complete satisfaction to all concerned.

In August, 1900, he married Miss Delia D. Ormsby, who was born
in Union Township of Wells County, daughter of the late Oliver Ormsby.
Mr. and I\Irs. Guldin have one son, Wendell A., born September 6, 1909,
and they also have an adopted daughter, Martha J., bom ]\Iay 24, 1917.
The family are members of the Reformed Church, Mr. Guldin being one
of the elders and very active in church matters. He has been superin-
tendent of the Sunday school since 1911. In politics he is a dem-
ocrat. Mr. Guldin is past chancellor of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights
of Pythias, and a member of the Grand Lodge, and is also affiliated with
Blufi'ton Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Blutf-
ton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

James ]\I. ^Iann has been one of the leading factors in the business
and civic affairs of Poneto in Wells County for a number of years. He
has spent practically all his life in Wells County, and his family are
identified with the county by many ties and associations extending back
into pioneer days.

His father was the late Henry A. ilann, who was born in ilonroe
County, West Virginia, July 8, 1828. The great-grandfather Jacob
Mann was a native of Germany and founded a family in Virginia in
colonial times. The grandfather Michael ]\lami was born in Virginia
August 12, 1795. The mother of Henry A. Mann was Cynthia Walker,
who was born in Virginia January 5, 1797. IMichael and C^^lthia were
married March 14, 1816. and then located on a farm in Virginia,
ilichael being both a farmer and a blacksmith. In 1833 they came to

Vol. n— 9

580 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Henry County, Indiana, and entered land from the government. On
this old homestead Cynthia ]Mann died September 30, 1871. Michael
married a second wife and his death occurred at Rensselaer, Indiana,
December 21, 1889. His children were: Clayton W., born June 29,
1819 ; Jacob C, born July 20, 1821 ; Mariuda, born July 5, 1823 ; Leroy,
born March 7, 1826 ; Henry A., born July 8, 1828 ; Christopher D., born
December 11, 1830, and Lucinda C, born October 6, 1833.

Heniy A. Mann g-rew up on his father's farm in Indiana, attended
the district schools and also Franklin College, and at the age of twenty-
one started out to make his own way in the world. On January 3, 1856,
he married Martha Allen, daughter of William and Sarah (Prather)
Allen. WiUiam Allen was born in North Carolina September 7, 1798,
and his wife was born October 8, 1806. William Allen was a son of
Reuben Allen. William and wife -were married in Wayne County,
Indiana, October 19, 1826, and some years later they moved to Madison
County, Indiana, and made that their home the rest of their days.
William Allen and wife had eight children : James, bom July 30, 1827,
and died February 15, 1893 ; Thomas C, born September 10, 1829, died
November 11, 1854; ilartha, born October 16, 1831; W. A., born in
March, 1834, became a physician and surgeon; Jonathan P., born
August 12, 1837, died January 5, 1862, while a soldier in the Union
army; Benjamin F., born February 6, 1840, became a dentist; IMary E.,
born November 16, 1842, died September 19, 1845; and Rachel, born
December 15, 1846.

Henry A. Maim after his marriage located on a farm in Henry
County, renting land for three years, and in 1860 came to Nottingham
Township in Wells County and bought the hundred acres which he
improved from a virtual wilderness into a splendid farm. That was
his home seventeen years and altogether he owned 180 acres and was a
stockholder in the Poneto Elevator. Henry A. Mann and wife had two
children : Emma, born August 16, 1857, and died September 2, 1859,
and James il. Henry A. ]Mann enlisted October 16, 1864, in Company
K of the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry and saw some active service
towards the close of the rebellion. He was a republican in politics.

James ^l. Mann was born in [Madison County, Indiana, near Pendle-
ton, April 15, 1860, and was six weeks of age when his parents moved to
Wells County, arriving ilay 29, 1860. They located in Nottingham
Township where he grew to manhood and where he acquired his earij'
education in the common schools.

On December 25, Christmas Day, 1879, ~Slr. Mann married Miss
Sarah Stahl. She was born in Harrison To^\Tiship, of Wells County,
daughter of William and Anna (DeWitt) Stahl. William Stahl came
to Wells County in 1838 and entered government land in Harrison
Township. His father acquired altogether 800 acres of which Wm.
Stahl got 160 acres, at this time completely covered with heavy timber,
and he saw most of that improved and in cultivation. His own home
was on one of the quarter sections, and was one of the best improved in
the township. William Stahl and the father of James M. Mann both
died on the same day, their fi;nerals were preached the same day and
they were buried in the same cemetery. Mrs. ilann was one of eight
children, five of whom are still living : Sarah, ]Mrs. Mann ; Ellen, M^fe
of Jonathan G. Miller : Josephine, wife of Lewis George ; Susan, widow
of Daniel Rush, and Hester A., wife of Joseph C. Huffman.

]\Ir. and Mrs. Mann have one child. Lillie, who graduated from the
common schools and is now the wife of Frank Ifer. They now live on
a farm in Chester Township and are the parents of two sons, Dowell,
aged seven, and Reginald, aged six. ^Ir. and Mrs. Mann are active

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 581

members of the Baptist Cliurcli and he is one of its trustees and super-
. iutendent of its Sunday School. Politically he is active as a democrat.
In Api'il, lyO-i, Mv. Mann removed to Poneto and was a stockholder and
manager of the Poneto Elevator until 1911. He owns and still gives
his supervision to a fine farm of 2U5 acres in that vicinity.

E. A. Shadle. One of the prosperous farmers and well known men of
Wells Couuty, whose valuable propei'ty is situated in Chester Township,
belongs to an old and respected family of this section. He was boru on a
farm in Chester township, Wells County, October 11, 1867, and is a son
of Philip and Margaret Donnelly Shadle.

Philip Shadle, who is one of Chester Township's venerable and most
esteemed residents, was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 14,
1820, a son of Philip and Mary (McGladej Shadle. The father was bom
in Pennsylvania but the mother was a native of Ireland and had been
brought to Amei'ica and to Pennsylvania when two years old and was
reared in Dauphin County. The parents of Philip Shadle moved to
Lebanon County and made their home there for thirty-five years, then
moved to Wayne County and later to Holmes County, Ohio. Prom there
in 1847 they came to Wells County, Indiana, where Mr. Shadle put up
a primitive log cabin but soon after replaced it with a hewed log structure
which was one of the first of its kind in this part of the county.

Philip Shadle reached manhood while the family home was in Ohio
and was married in Wayne County to .Margaret Donnelly, who was a
daughter of John and Fannie (Swiger) Doimelly, who had moved from
Pennsylvania to Wayne County in 1835 and to Holmes County in 1850.
In the year following the removal of his father's family to Wells County,
Philip Shadle and his family came and during the first j'ear all lived
together and then Philip, being a carpenter, built an addition to the
hewed log house and the family was then more comfortably settled.
His mother died in 1855 and his father in 1874. During his active years
Mr. Shadle was a vex'y industi'ious man and in addition to working as
a carpenter cleared and improved more than 150 acres of land. He has
always been a republican in politics and still takes much interest in
matters relating to that organization and to public affairs in general,
being a very remarkable man.

To Philip Shadle and his wife fifteen children were born and named
as follows: Mary J., who married Winfield Venham; Zillah, who mar-
ried J. M. Venham ; William A. ; Newton ; James N. ; Lucetta, who mar-
ried John Godfi-ey ; and Reason A., Ellen, Samuel, John, Eli A., Oscar
M., Ada Chambers, Lissa and Philip. The mother of this family died
in 1917, when aged eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Shadle were
among the organizers of the United Presbyterian Church at Warren,
Indiana, and always faithful members.

Eli A. Shadle remained at home until his marriage and obtained his
education in the Chester Township schools. He has always been a
farmer and a successful one and gives considerable attention to raising
good stock. He owns eighty acres of excellent, well cared for land. He
is one of the stockholders in the elevator at Poneto and is counted a man
of fine business judgment.

Mr. Shadle was married September 9, 1895, to Miss Emma Alspach
of this township. Politically he is a republican.

John Leslie Redding, M. D. Devoting his native talents and abil-
ities to one of the most useful, and at the same time one of the most
exacting, of all professions, John L. Redding, M. D., of Bluft'ton, holds
a noteworthy position among the skillful and successful physicians and

582 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

surgeons of Wells County. A son of Rufus Redding, he was born
October 23, 1876, on a farm in Salamonie Township, about ten miles
west of Bluft'ton.

His paternal grandfather, John Redding, was born, reared and
married in Wilkes County, North Carolina, of which his wife, whose
maiden name was Sarah Nicholson, was also a native. He was of
patriotic stock, his ancestors having fought bravely in the Revolutionary
army. In 1853 he came with his wife and children to Huntington
County, Indiana, and having bought a tract of wild land, improved, with
true pioneer courage, the farm in Rock Creek Township en which he
spent his remaining years, both he and his wife living to be quite old.

Born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, July 20, 18-19, Rufus Red- '
ding was a small child when brought by his parents to Rock Creek
Township, Huntington County. He grew to manhood on the parental
homestead, gleaning his elementary education dui'iug the winter terms
of the district school, and later advancing his studies at Roanoke Academy
and at a private normal school in Markle, Indiana. Securing a teacher's
license when but eighteen years old, he taught school in Huntington
County, in both Salamonie and Rock Creek townships, continuing even
after his marriage as a teacher during the winter seasons, having charge
of his father-in-law's farm during the summer, he having married when
young. Two years after his marriage he bought ninety-two acres of
land in Salamonie Township, going in debt for it to a considerable extent.
Industrious and thrifty, he labored intelligently, and in due course of
time paid off all of his indebtedness and bought other land, becoming
owner of 194 acres, a part of it being in Salamonie Township and a
part in Rock Ci'eek Township. Having accumulated a comj^etency, he
is now living retired in Warren, Indiana. Both are members of the
Warren Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a republican in politics,
and served one term as township trustee of Salamonie Township.

Rufus Redding married, August 9, 1870, Louisa Foreman. She was
born in Clinton County, Ohio, and as a girl was brought by her parents,
Ohadiah and Sarah (Hamilton) Foreman, to Huntington County,
Indiana, where she completed her early education, having had ^Ir. Red-
ding, her future husband, as a teacher. Five children were born of
their union, as follows : Ellis Linden, W'ho graduated from the com-
mercial department of the Marion Normal College, is now living in
Marion, Indiana; Cora L., wife of Harvey Brown; John Leslie, the sub-
ject of this sketch; Rufus Marion, and Olive E.

Having laid a substantial foundation for his future education in
the district schools of Salamonie Township, John L. Redding attended
the Marion Normal College two years, and the Valparaiso University
a part of two seasons, and the Indiana University one year, taking the
classical course. He then entered the medical department of the
Indiana University, and after taking the full course of four years was
graduated with the degi'ee of M. D. Dr. Redding immediately located
at Rockford, Wells County, where he continued as a physician and
surgeon for thirteen j'ears, meeting with signal success from the start.
In 1917 he removed to Bluffton, where he has already gained prestige
in his profession and is rapidly building up an extensive patronage.

Dr. Redding married, in August, 1903, Annie Roberts, a daughter
of John and Mary J. Roberts. The Doctor and :\rrs. Redding have two
children, John r!, a pupil in the Bluffton lliiili School, and Robert L.
The Doctor is identified with the agricultural affairs of Wells County
to some extent, having a farm in Rock Creek Township. He is a mem-
ber of the county and state medical societies, and of the American
Medical as.sociation. In polities he is a steadfast republican. Fra-

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 583

ternally the Doctor belongs to Markle Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
Order of Masons; to Salamonie Lodge No. 392, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and to Rockford Tribe, Improved Order of Red ilen.

David Gerber. Special interest attaches to the career of this well
known and highly esteemed citizen of Decatur, since he is a native of
Adams County, and represents some of the sterling Swiss stock that
settled here in pioneer times and has himself been prominently con-
cerned with civic and business activities for many years. He is a former
county clerk, but is most widely known because of his operations as a
livestock man and in the handling of horses and also as operator of
stone quarries.

Mr. Gerber 's home is at 811 North Third Street in Decatur. He has
a large stone quarry in the western part of Blue Creek Township and
this industry alone employs ten men and furnishes a large part of the
crushed stone and other material used in road construction and for other
purposes in this section of Indiana. He operates a stone crusher and
for the past tive years his quarry has been one of the principal sources
of crushed stone for county roads.

For a nnich longer period, thirty-five years, 'Sir. Gerber has been a
dealer in horses. He has bought horses locally and is widely known as
an importer and exporter. For five years he was associated with Mr. J.
M. Frisinger in the business of exporting American horses to the Ger-
man trade. While sending American horses abroad they shipped back
to this country some of the fine Belgian and French thoroughbreds.
Mr. Gerber has also built up a rather extensive business in breeding
Belgian horses. At the present time he is owner of three of the best
stallions of this stock in northeastern Indiana. The names of these
pure bred horses are Piston Schen, Haptal and i\Ioniau de Bove. These
horses weigh about two thousand pounds apiece, and they exemplify in
themselves and in their progeny some of the finest rliiiMitri'istics of
the Belgian and French stock. ]Mr. Gerber 's horse liiisiuts> is con-
centrated on his farm of 102 acres in section 6 of Washiiiuldii Township.
This is one of the finer farms of Adams County. He has a large barn,
forty by eighty feet, with numerous other outbuildings and a substantial
eight room farm home.

Mr. David (^iei-hcr was born on a farm in section 6 of Wabasli Town-
ship, Adams Ciiinity, :\larch 1, 1861. In the locality of his birth he
spent his early years, attending the country schools, and subse<|uently
moved to Berne where for eleven years he had his head(|uartei's as a
stock dealer and meat merchant. He has been a resident of Decatur for
the past twenty-four years.

His parents, Christian and Elizabeth (Smutt) Gerber, were both
natives of Canton Berne, Switzerland. His father was born in 1802
and his mother in 1826 and they and all their ancestor were of the
Swiss Reformed Church. They married in Switzerland and all their
children except David were born in the old country. In 1852 the little
.family embarked on a sailing vessel from Antwerp and forty-two days
later arrived in New York City. Thence they pursued their westward
journey by railroad to Cleveland, on to Fort Wayne by the Miami
Canal, and on the banks of the Canal they loaded their simple posses-
sions into a wagon drawn by ox teams and came to what is now the
Village of Berne when all that country was almost a total wilderness.
The woods were filled with game when they arrived and they built
their first homes in the woods. Here the father lived the industrious
life of a farmer until his death in 1884. His widow survi\rd liim until
1914 and passed away at the age cf eighty-eight.

584 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

David Gerber, who is the only one of his parents' children born in
this country, has a brother and sister still living. The brother John
lives at Berne, is a retired farmer and has a family of children. Rosetta
is the wife of William Spiker, also a retired farmer at Berne, and they
have children.

David Gerber married in Berne Miss Sarah Moeschberger, who was
born in French Township of Adams County October 24, 1862. She is
a daughter of Jacob and Rosa (Reafe) iloeschberger, both natives, of
Switzerland, who came with their respective parents to the United
States in the early '50s, crossing the ocean by sailing vessel. For a few
years these families lived in Ohio and then removed to French Town-
ship of Adams County, where Mrs. Gerber 's grandparents spent their
last years, after clearing up good farms. Jacob Moeschberger and wife
were married in Decatur and established their home on a farm in French
Township. Mrs. Gerber was next to the youngest child and was eighteen
months old when her mother died at the birth of her thirteenth child.
Both the mother and infant died, the mother being only thirty-four
years of age. She had been married at the age of eighteen. Of these
eight sons and iive daughters twelve grew to maturity, ten married and
seven are still living, ilrs. Gerber is now the only daughter of the
family surviving. Her father Jacob Moeschberger afterwards spent
many years in California, but finally returned to Adams County and
lived here the last few years of his life until his death in 1905 at the
age of eighty-two. He was a democrat and he and his wife were
Reformed Church people.

^Ir. and IMrs. Gerber have three living children. One daughter
Nettie, born at Berne in 1888, died in infancy. Tilman H., the oldest
of the three living, is a successful farmer in Washington Township.
He married Lydia Heckman of Preble Township and their family con-
sists of Helen G.. Carl D. and Marcella C. Edgar H., who was born in
1889, is like his brother well educated in the public schools and is now
engaged in the grocery business in Decatur. He married Lela Schafer
of Union Township, Adams County. The daughter, Lulu E., born
October 14, 1896, has finished her education in the Decatur High
School, is pursuing work in music at Fort WajTie, and still is in the
home circle. All the family are confirmed members of the Reformed
Church. Mr. Gerber has been quite a prominent democrat in Adams
County and in 1902 was elected county clerk, an office he filled with
credit and efficiency for four years.

St. Mary's Catholic Church of Decatur. It is now eighty years
since the first services of the Catholic Church were held in the pioneer
village of Decatur. As recorded elsewhere, the town was laid out in
1836, and the first Catholic settlers came in 1837, Henry Dirkes, Henry
Minter, Joseph Smith. Anthony Kohne and Bernard Holthaus. At the
time the town was platted Samuel L. Ruggs, one of its founders, donated
much land for public purposes, and gave lots for nearly all the churches,
including one for the Catholic denomination. By 1838 there were sevr
eral additions to the Catholic population and in the spring of that year
Father ]\Iueller came to celebrate the first mass at the home of George
Fitticli. He was a missionary priest, and though with the rapid growth
of Decatur many other Catholic families came, the community was at-
tended by missionaries for a number of years. The second priest at
Decatur was Father Hamion. He officiated January 10, 1841, when
the first Catholic marriage was solemnized between Timothy Coflfee and
Margaret Mueller. The first Catholic children baptized in the hamlet
were ilinnie Holthaus and ilary Closs.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 585

The third priest was Father Joseph Rudolph, who uudertook tlie
arduous task of raising funds to construct a house of worship. With the
assistance of the local Catholics he raised a few hundred dollars for
that purpose, but the building was deferred for several years. In 1842
ground was purchased for a Catholic cemeterj- in the southeastern
part of the village.

The fifth priest at Decatur was Father E. :M. Faller, who in 1846
began the erection of the first Catholic Church edifice. The timbers for
that building were hauled through the deep mud with ox teams by
members of the SpuUer family. Up to that time mass had been cele-
brated in the Fittich house, the Gloss tavern and the old court house.
The first church was plastered in 1847 and Father Faller paid $60
for the first church bell, bought at Cincinnati and shipped by canal to
Fort Wayne. Father Faller increased the property of the church until
it owned six lots, comprising a half block.

The first resident priest at Decatur was Father Schultes, who in
1852 erected the first priest's house. He remained until 1856 and was
succeeded bj^ numerous other priests who remained for varying in-
tervals, seldom more than two years. Father John Wemhoff, who was
local priest from 1865 until 1872, raised the money and supervised
the laying of the foundation for the present brick church. This church
was built and dedicated under Father S. Von Schwedler, who was local
pastor from 1872 to 1877.

The priest who for the longest time presided over the destinies of
St. Mary's congregation and is best remembered by the Catholic popu-
lation of the county was Father H. Theodore Wilken, who came to
Decatur in July, 1880. and performed his duties with continued zeal
and efficiency until his death on October 20, 1913. One of his first
labors was to erect a new brick schoolhouse, which was finished in 1881,
and in 1885 he erected a new parsonage. This parsonage thirty years
ago was ranked as the best building in the diocese of Fort Wayne.
Father Wilken was especially zealous in the cause of education, and also
did much to strengthen the influence of the Catholic Church all over
Adams County. He was thoroughly beloved by his own parishoners,
and came into close and intimate contact with people of all classes,
and enjoyed their utmost respect.

The present pastor of St. Mary's Church is Rev. Julius A. Seimetz.
He entered upon his duties as local pastor in February, 1914. He has
continued the good work of his predecessor and now has a congregation
of 300 families, nearly half of which come from the surrounding farm-
ing districts. The parochial school has an enrollment of 270 pupils,
presided over by eight teachers. The school, church and parish house
are all substantial buildings, but the congregation is now planning to
build a new and larger church.

Father Seimetz was born in Michigan City, Indiana, April 17. 1871,
and lived there until he was eighteen years of age. He then entered the
college at Rensselaer, Indiana, going into that institution when its doors
were first opened to students. He took his classical course there, and
studied theology in St. Francis Seminary at ililwaukee, graduating
with the class of 1901. He was ordained June 21, 1901, at the cathedral
at Fort Wayne by Rt. Rev. Herman Joseph Alerding. For a time he
was assistant priest at Peru. Indiana, and then took his first regular
pastoi-ate at Reynolds. Indiana. He was there two years, and gave
much vigor and vitality to that church, which was the only Catholic
Church in White County and the center of all Catholic influences in
that section of the state. From Revnolds Father Seimetz went to

586 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Lafayette, Indiana, where for six years he was superintendent in
charge of the Boys Orphanage.

Father Seinietz is a son of John and ]\Iary (Timm) Seimetz, both
born in the Rhine provinces of Germany. They came to America when
young people and were married at ]\Iicliigan City, where all their chil-
dren were born and reared. Father Seimetz has a nephew, son of
one of his sisters, who is now building the tirst parish house at Gary,
Indiana. Another nephew, Joseph Seimetz, is assistant in St. Joseph's
Church at Logansport, Indiana. Both these nephews are promising
young pastors. Father Seimetz' parents are both now deceased, hav-
ing passed away in ilichigan City, Indiana, where they were active
members and supporters of the Catholic Church.

Father Seimetz' assistant is Rev. Anthony J. Kroeger. He was
born at Mendota. Illinois, July 5, 1890, but was reared and received his
parochial school education at Aurora, Illinois. He took his classical,
philosophical and theological courses in St. Meinrad Seminary in Indi-
ana, graduating with the class of 1914. He was ordained June 27 of
the same year at Fort Wayne by Bishop Alerding, and on the eighth
of July arrived at Decatur to take up his w^ark as assistant to Father
Seimetz. He has won the confideuce of the people and of his pastor,
and is a hard-working, earnest and devoted young priest.

Frank Stafford. The Stafford family has for many years been
identified with the industrial and commercial interests of Bluffton.
N. E. Stafford is proprietor of the Bluffton Milling Company, while
Mr. Frank Stafford, his son, is one of the live coal and grain merchants,
having a large and well equipped establishment in the western part of
the city.

Frank Stafford was born in Murray, Indiana, June 7, 1879, a son
of N. E. and Louisa J. {Ever.sole) Stafford. His parents are still living
in Bluft'ton. His father has served as trustee of Lancaster Township.
At an early age he entered the milling business, selling his plant at Rich-
mond. Indiana, in 1884. and then going into partnership with his cousin
in the same business. After three years he went back to his old home
town and conducted the mill there until 1903, when he bought the mill
he now owns.

Frank Stafford was educated in the schools of his native town, also
at Valparaiso and ilarion, Indiana, and was a teacher in early life,
having charge of some of the schools in Lancaster Township for four
and a half years. He gave up school work in April, 1903, and coming
to Bluffton assisted in rebuilding the mill and was associated with his
father in business until ilarch, 1910. He then bought the coal and
grain liusiness and is one of the leading dealers in grain, feed and
coal. He also has a half interest in forty acres of land in Lancaster
Township.

June 28, 1911, Mr. Stafford married I\Iiss Bessie Davis of Rensselaer,
Jasper County, Indiana. She was born at Wolcott, White County, and
was well educated in the common schools and also in the musical con-
servatory of DePauw University. Mr. and Jlrs. Stafford are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is affiliated with
Blutfton Lodge No. 796 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and is past chancellor of Lodge No. 259, Knights of Pythias.
Politically he is a democrat.

David L. Wilkins is manager of the Boss ]ilanufacturing Company
at Bluffton. His experience from early boyhood has been ehiefiy in
manufacturing lines, and with the present industry, and he has served

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 587

in every capacity from a humble employe earning 50 cents a day to
management of plants in different parts of Indiana and Ohio.

Mr. Wilkins was born July 23. 1887, in Lancaster Township, a quar-
ter of a mile east of the City of Bluffton. He is a son of William T. and
Clara B. (Gambel) Wilkins. His father was a native of Michigan and
his mother of Huntington County, Indiana. They were married in
Wells County, and his father has followed different lines of euiploymeut
and is now living at Fort W^ayne.

David L. Wilkins was one of six sons. He was reared in Lancaster
Township and also in the City of Blufftnn, and attended public schools
in both places. As a young man he Iic.uiin wurkiiig in the local glove
factory and filled places in dift'erent dcpartuuiits at Blntt'ton until he
was eighteen, when he was ti-ansfcrred In \'aii Wert, Ohio, for about
seven months, then at Findl,i\ loi- ;i slidft tiiiif, at .Miinslii'ld, Ohio, two
and a half yeare, and at Cdluiiilms .iliniil uiw year. Hi' then returned to
Indiana and was at Fort Wayne frnm 1)ecemi)er, I'Jl-i, until Jidy, 1915,
when he was returned to Bluffton and made local manager of the plant.

Aug^ist 5, 1909, Mr. Wilkins married Hannah J. Rempis. She was
born in Allen County, Indiana, daughter of F. J. Rempis, and is a grad-
uate of the German Lutheran parochial schools. Mr. and IMrs. Wilkins
have two children : David V., born in 1914, and William F., born August
9, 1917. Mr. Wilkins is a member of Bluft'ton Lodge No. 92, Knights of
Pythias, and in politics is independent.

Gabriel Shrock was one of the fine upstanding citizens and pro-
gressive farmers of Harrison Township for a long period of years, and
some of his children still live in Wells County and exemplify the probity
of character and the industry which made him a notable man in his time.

He was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1831,
and died at his home in Harrison Township June 29, 1909. His parents
were Samuel and Christina (Harbaugh) Schrock, both natives of Penn-
sylvania and of German descent. Gabriel Schrock was a year old when
his father died and after that he lived five years with his grandfather
Harbaugh and then grew to his ma.jority with an uncle, William McBride.
He accompanied the McBride family to Wells County on February 21,
1841. Gabriel Shrock had limited advantages in the way of schools,
and at an early age began learning the trade of cabinet maker from his
uncle. On reaching his majority he started out for himself with no
capital, but being a skilled man at his trade, found plenty of work to
do and was not long in getting a start.

On May 23, 1854, he married iliss E. B. Gottschalk, who was born
November" 10, 1835, and died December 11, 1909. Her father, Jacob
Gottschalk, was a native of Germany but had come to America when
Mrs. Shrock was about six years old. Mr. and Mrs. Shrock were mar-
ried at Bluft'ton by Rev. Mr. Black and they remained in that city,
where he was employed at .journeyman work for a couple of years. On
September 16, 1856, he established a business of his own and in 1873
changed his occupation to carpentry for the sake of his health. On
Septemlier 7. 1881, Gabriel Shrnck moved to his farm in Harrison Town-
ship. He had previously bought the land, heavily covered with timber,
and went industriously to work clearing it up and making it a highly
cultivated and valuable homestead. Foi' a number of years he owned
and operated about 100 acres and was eiiunuvil in its tillage until
his death. Gabriel Shrock was a demoerat in pnlities and his wife was
a member of the ilethodist Episcopal Church at Bluft'ton. Seven chil-
dren were born to Gabriel and Mrs. Shrock, five of whom grew to
maturity. Mary J. was educated in the Bluffton schools and at the

588 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

age of fourteen began teaching and at one time was considered one of
the best primary teachers in Indiana. She married John \Y. Owens,
by whom she was the mother of one child, ilable, who married Setli
Snider and lives in Lancaster Township. Mrs. Owens later became
the wife of William Myers and is now deceased. The son George L.
was educated in the public schools of Bluft'ton and is now married and
in the grocery business at Hartford City, Indiana. Three children,
Anna, J. A. Shrock and Belle, have never married and have always
remained together. After the death of the parents they bought the old
homestead but sold it in 1917 and then bought twenty-five acres in
Harrison Township where they live with every comfort and convenience.
J. A. Shrock wa.s born in Bluifton and educated in the public schools
there and is an active democrat. All the children were well educated
and most of them were trained for work as teachere. ]Miss Belle Shrock
has gained no small local reputation as a poultry raiser. They have a
large flock of the single comb Brown Leghorn, and have besides much
other good livestock. Miss Belle Shrock is a member of the ^Methodist
Episcopal Church at Bluffton.

John Wiley. One of the many well-to-do and substantial agri-
culturists of W^ells County, Jolni Wiley, of Liberty Township, has a
fine farm of eighty acres, the greater part of which is under tillage
and well supplied with comfortable and convenient farm buildings. A
native of Indiana, he was born Januar^y 21, 1855, in Salmon Township,
Huntington County, a son of Robert Wiley, coming from Virginian
ancestry.

Robert Wiley was born in Virginia, where he lived until twelve
years of age. He then accompanied his parents to Ohio, and a year
later came with them to Jackson Township, Wells County, Indiana,
where he grew to man's estate. Becoming a farmer from choice, he
located first in Salmon Township, Huntington County, and after three
years in that locality, came with his family to Liberty Township, Wells
County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Sarah
Jones, a native of Huntington County, and to them eleven children
were born, of whom seven are living, as follows : Perry, of Adams
County ; A. J. ; Nancy, widow of L. D. Roush ; Jane, wife of John Gor-
don, of Rock Creek Township ; Mary, wife of Nat Baston, of Texas,
and Mahala, who is married and lives in Texas ; and John,

John Wiley has lived in Liberty Township since a child of three
years, and since attaining manhood has been identified with its agri-
cultural interests. He has a well improved farm, to the management of
which he has ever devoted his time and energies, carrying on general
farming after the most approved modem methods.

Mr. Wiley married Miss Nancy J. Day, and to them six children
have been born, four of whom are living, namely: Willie E,, residing
in Liberty Center; Nettie, wife of Charles Moon, lives in Illinois; Dora,
and Earl. Politically IMr. Wiley is a firm supporter of the principles
of the democratic party.

James Hesher. For many years Wells County people have con-
gratulated themselves that one of the county's most important institu-
tions, the County Infirmary, has been under the management and direc-
tion of the Hesher family. The present superintendent of the infirmary
is Mr. James Hesher, and he succeeded his father Adam Hesher in that
place. During both administrations the county farm has been conducted
in an economical manner, has practically been self sustaining, and at

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 5S9

the same time the inmates have received the best of care and eveiy
appropriate provision for their comfort and welfare.

Mr. James Hesher was born on a farm in Lancaster To\raship Imlf
a mile north of Bluifton on the old Peter Studabaker farm Jnly 10,
1884. His father, Adam Hesher, who is now living on a farm in Adam-
son Township, was born in Pike Count}-, Ohio, June 21, 1855, a son of
Frederick and Christina (Smith) Hesher. His parents were both
natives of Germany, came to the United States when young, were mar-
ried in Pike County, Ohio, and later removed to Fayette county in that
state, where Frederick Hesher died. His widow subsequently came to
Wells County, Indiana, and spent her last years. They were the parents
of three sons : Fred Hesher, now in Illinois ; Adam, and Abraham.

Adam Hesher was about seventeen years old when he came to Wells
County, and found employment with the old pioneer Peter Studabaker.
He worked faithfully for Mr. Stu(lal)aker thirteen years, and sub-
sequently became manager of the old Studabaker farm. ' In April, 1877,
he maiTied Miss Elizabeth Ratliff, who was born in Ohio and was
brought to Wells County, Indiana, when a girl. Adam Hesher was
appointed superintendent of the Wells County Infirmary and entered
upon the duties of that office in May, 1911, serving until ilarch, 1914.
His value as superintendent was greatly enhanced by the active co-opera-
tion of his verj' eiHcient wife. For eighteen years Adam Hesher served
as gravel roacl superintendent for Wells County. He is a prominent
democrat and a member of the American [Mechanics Lodge. He and his
wife had five children: David, who lives at Fort Wayne, Indiana;
John, in the grocery business in Adams County; Frank, a farmer in
Harrison Township ; James, and Charles, a farmer in Harrison Town-
ship.

James Hesher grew up on a farm in Lancaster Township, and most
of his education was acquired in the old Toll Gate sehoolhouse. School-
ing in winter and farming in summer made up his chief experiences
until he was twenty-one, when he started out for himself and found
employment at monthly wages on a farm. On February 19, 1906, he
married Miss Jennie Lutz, who was born in Lancaster Township October
23, 1886, a daughter of Ephraim Lutz. ilrs. Hesher was educated in
the common schools of Lancaster Center. After their marriage Mr. and
Mrs. Hesher located on a farm in Lancaster Township and later lived
in Rock Creek Township, and in January, 1914, he accepted appoint-
ment to his present duties as superintendent of the Wells County
Infirmary.

Mr. and Mrs. Hesher have two daughters: Cai'rie P., born May 26,
1907, and Josephine, born April 19, 1912. ]Mrs. Hesher is a memlier of
the Murraj^ Christian Church. In polities he is a democrat who has
liceu quite active since reaching manhood and has served as a memljer
of the Central Committee from Hancock Township. He is a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Bluffton, and ^Irs.
Hesher is a member of the Maccabees.

James Lawrence Goodin. An industrious and enterprising young
business man of Bluffton, James L. Goodin is eminently worthy of rep-
resentation in a work of this character, not only as a native-born citizen
of Wells County, but as the descendant of one of its early settlers. A
son of James D. Goodin, he was born on a farm at Five Points, Chester
Township, September 25, 1885.

Samuel Goodin, his paternal grandfather, was born and reared in
Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and was of honored Welsh ancestry.
He was taken by his parents to Perry County, Ohio, when a boy, but

590 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

after his luarriage settled in ]\Iorro\v County, Oiiio, where he resided
until his death, April 24, 1854. He married, in 1835, Elizabeth Donald-
son, who outlived him many years. In the spring of 1855, about one
year after the death of her husband, ilrs. Elizabeth (Donaldson) Goodin
inigrated with her family to Allen County, Indiana. In February,
1858, she settled in Chester Township, Wells County, and was there a
resident until her death, in 1880.

James D. Goodin was born March 17, 1836, in Morrow County,
Ohio, and was there brought up and educated. He came with his mother
to Indiana, and since taking up his residence in Chester Township,
Wells County, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, being now one
of the most prosperous farmers of his community. He has been very
active and influential in the administration of public affairs, and one
of the leading members of the democratic party. In 1865 he was elected
justice of the peace, and held the office four years. Elected trustee of
Chester Township in 1869, he served in that capacity until the fall of
1873, when he was chosen county commissioner, a position which he
filled satisfactorily for three years. For a period of twenty years he
served as a director of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of
Huntington, Wells and Wabash counties. Fraternally he is a member
of Montpelier Lodge No. 288, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of
;\Iasons.

James D. Goodin has been twice married. He married first, in
October, 1860, Nancy Twible. She was bom in Blackford County,
Indiana, a daughter of David and Margaret Twible. She died in Feb-
ruary, 1872, having borne him five children, ^Madison, Elizabeth. Nettie,
Ella, and a child that died in infancy, ilr. Goodin married for his
second wife, November 13, 1873, Olive Ashbaugh, who was born in Logan
County, Indiana, a daughter of Andrew and Matilda Ashbaugh. Two
children blessed their union, namely: James L., the subject of this
sketch, and Herman R. Herman R. Goodin was graduated from the
Montpelier High School, after which he continued his studies at Purdue
University for two years. He married, ]\Iay 8, 1916, Viola Staten. who
was graduated from high school at Elgin, Illinois, and from Western
College, in Oxford, Ohio, and is an accomplished linguist, speaking
French and German as fluently as she does English. He and his wife
are living on a farm at Five Points, and are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

James Lawrence Goodin was graduated from the ^lontpelier High
School with the class of 1906, after which he entered the Indiana Uni-
versity, at Bloomingtou, where he remained a student for nearly four
years. Entering upon a professional career, Mr. Goodin taught school
at Kej'stone two years and at District No. i in Chester Township one
year. He wa.s then made deputy surveyor and served under Charles
W. Decker, surveyor, for two years. Subsequently forming a partner-
ship with ilr. Decker, as junior member of the firm of Decker & Goodin.
he was engaged in the real estate business until January 1, 1916, when
the firm took the agency for the Overland automobiles and in that work
met with decided success, having built up an extensive and lucrative
trade, their sales being annually increased. December 1. 1917,
'Sir. Goodin sold out his interest in the Overland Agency and bought
out ^Ir. Keplinger's interest in the agency for the Buick automobile, the
Bluffton Buick Company.

Mr. Goodin married Goldie Shimp. who was born in Blackford
County, Indiana, a daughter of Andrew Shimp. Politically Mr. Goodin
is a stanch democrat. Fraternally he is a member of Bluffton Lodge

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 591

No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons, and of Bluft'ton
Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Egbert Case. Active and progressive, and possessing decided busi-
ness sagacity and judgment, Robert Case, of Decatur, is prominently
identified with the promotion of the mercantile prosperity of Adams
County, and as a dealer in grain and coal is carrying on an extensive
business. A sou of Almon Case, he was born, January 8, 1856, in Bluft'-
ton, Wells County, and was there brought up and educated. His
ancestors for many generations lived and died in New England, his
paternal grandparents, farmers, having resided in Connecticut.

Almon Case was born about 1808 in Connecticut, on his father's
farm, not very far from Hartford. As a boy he became familiar with
the different branches of agriculture, while assisting his father gathering
valuable knowledge and experience. Soon after his marriage to his
first vdie he decided to go west where he could follow his chosen occupa-
tion much more advantageously, one of his brothers having previously
settled permanently in Iowa, where he found cheaper land. Following
the emigrant's trail, he made his way to the Western Reserve, in Ohio,
and there took up land and began the improvement of a farm. There
his wife died, leaving two children, both of whom went to live with
their maternal gi-andparents.

About 1833 Almon Case left Ohio and came as far west as Wells
County, Indiana, and located at Bluft'ton before the town was laid out.
Subseciuently, when the town was platted, he was given his choice of
the town lots, and agreed therefor to build a hotel. He erected a double
log cabin, two stories high, Adney Hall, a Connecticut man, who had
induced ilr. Case to locate in Bluft'ton, where he liad settled a year
earlier, furnishing the oxen to haul the log's for the cabin. The hotel
property is now known as the Curry property. The old hotel was
burned in 1842, and Mr. Almon Case later erected a two-story frame
house on the present site of the Wells County Bank and ran it as the
"Exchange Hotel" until 1862. The following two years he was engaged
in the live stock business at Fort Wayne, Indiana; returning then to
Wells County, he bought a farm and there both he and his wife spent
their remaining days, his death occurring ]\Iay 7, 1875, and hers ilarch
17, 1880, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a straightforward
republican in politics, and served as the first postma.ster of Bluft'ton.
He was known a.s a man of honest integrity and sterling worth, his word
at all times being as good as his bond.

The maiden name of the second wife of Almon Case, to whom he
was married in Ohio, was ]\Iindwell Hayes. She was born in Connecticut
in 1813. Of his union with his second wife the following children were
born, namely: Scott, deceased, born in Ohio; Catherine, decea.sed, left
two sons at her death, her husband having been Snyder Filson ; John,
third child of Almon Case ; Elizabeth, who had the clistinction of being
the first female child born in Bluft'ton, was twice married, by her first
husband having two children, and by her second husband, Dr. Ilorton,
one child; Almon, Jr., was accidentally killed in his father's woolen
mill when but seventeen years old ; Helen, widow of the late S. M. Cura-
mings, of Elkhart, Indiana, has two daughters; Hamilton died at St.
Louis, ^Missouri, in February, 1915, leaving a widow and four children ;
and Robert, of whom we write.

After the death of his father Robert Case carried on the home farm
for ten years, and then moved to Magley, Adams County, where for
twenty-six years he carried on a successful business as a general mer-
chant! Going from there to Indianapolis, he spent a year in that

592 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

metropolis, and in 1910 accepted the position of manager of a gi-ain
business in Decatur. Succeeding well in that capacity, Mr. Case is now
an active member of that grain firm, and as its manager is carrying on
a large and lucrative business, having a capacious elevator, and like-
wise coal sheds, well located on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Eail-
road.

Mr. Case married in Vera Cruz, Wells County, Sarah Arnold, a
native of Adams County, and into their pleasant home seven children
have been born, namely: Theodore, died in infancy; Mindwell, wife
of Frank Anna, of Chicago, has two children, Robert C. and Sarah E. ;
George, a graduate pharmacist, married Adelle Walderman, an Indian-
apolis girl, and is now a druggist in Indianapolis; Ralph, also a druggist
in Indianapolis, is married; Irven, field manager at Elkhart, Indiana,
for the Lincoln Life Insurance Company of Fort Wayne, is married
and has two children, Mary E. and Virginia, twins; John Robert,
representing a Chicago supply house; and Harold, at home with his
father. Politically Mr. Case is a strong republican, and fraternally he
is a prominent member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of
Masons, belonging to lodge, chapter and council.

Levi Huffman is proprietor of the Wheatland Farm of Jackson
Township, Wells County. That farm has been the home of the Huif-
mans in this county for more than three quarters of a century. It is
a conspicuous example of thoroughgoing and efficient agricultural man-
agement. When the first Huffmans took possession of the land it had
no productiveness so far as the uses of civilized land were concerned.
Its improvement has been a process of slow and steady work carried on
from one generation to the other. While there is a great deal of interest
naturally centering in this farm, because of its value and the many
associations with the lives of these worthy people, the farm itself is
only one expression of the life and character of its owner. Mr. Huffman
has for years been an important figure in the citizenship of Wells
County. He has rendered a good account of his time and enei-gies and
opportunities, whether in the cultivation of his fields or in looking after
the varied relationships he has sustained to the community welfare.

Mr. Huffman was born October 20, 18.50, on the farm which is now
known as the Wheatland Farm. The Huffmans came to Wells County
from Ohio. His grandfather, Adam Huffman, was one of the earliest
settlers of Clark County in that state. Levi Huffman's parents were
Henry and Catherine (Baker) Huffman, the former a native of Clark
County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Adam Baker.
Henn' Huffman came into Wells County, Indiana, in 1840. At that time
he entered land in Jackson Township. That land is now a portion of
the Wheatland Farm, and Levi Huffman has in his possession an old
parchment deed bearing the name of President Martin Van Buren as an
evidence of title to this property. Not a stick of timber had been felled
and not a foot of ground had been plowed when Henry Huffman took
possession of his homestead. He was a man of sturdy mold, and well
fitted for the heavy responsibilities of pioneering. His own hands cleared
away acre after acre of the woods, and by the time Levi Huffman was
old enough to appreciate his surroundings, the greater part of the ninety
acres were in cultivation. Henry Huffman subsequently added to his
place until he had 170 acres. The first home of the family, where Levi
Huffman was born, was a log house. In 1867 it was replaced by a more
substantial frame structure, at the time one of the best homes in Jack-
son Township. It is said that when the Huffman family first came to
Jackson Township they could not proceed fifteen rods in the woods in

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES " 593

any direction from their home without clanger of getting lost. Henry
Hnii'mau was a resident of Wells County for over forty years. He
died in the fall of 1883. His first wife was Elizabeth Ebersole, who
died leaving four children, Jacob. Catherine, Sallie and Peter. His
second wife, Catherine (Baker) Hutt'man, died just four weeks and
three days Ijefore his passing. They became the parents of ten chil-
dren: Frederick, George, Henry, Lydia, John, Samuel, Levi, Eliza,
Eva and Mary. All of these fourteen children of Henry Huffman came
to maturity, and their strong and vigorous lives are evidence of the
physical and mental character they inherited from their ancestors.

The strong constitution he inherited has enabled Levi Huffman dur-
ing a long career to accomplish much more than the ordinary man. As
a youth he was enured to hard and honest toil, and he was earning the
equivalent of a living even as a schoolboy. He continued to attend the
public schools of Jackson Township during the winter terms i;ntil his
twentieth year. For a time he rented a portion of his father's home on
shares, and also rented other land of his neighbors. In this way he
graduall.y got something ahead and was looked upon as one of the
coming young men of the county.

On December 31. 187-1, he established a home of his own by his mar-
riage to Miss Martha Coolman, daughter of William and" Mary A.
(McKee) Coolman. Her parents were natives of Ohio and early settlers
of Huntington County, Indiana. With a wife as a companion and
counsellor and with the responsibilities of home, Mr. Huffman began
housekeeping in a little log house on a forty acre tract of land which
his father subsecjuently purchased. Here his labors were prospered for
seven years. In the meantime his father was growing old, and he
returned to the home place to take its active management from his
shoulders. After that he lived with his parents until he passed away
and gave them the utmost of his affection and devotion. In the mean-
time he had bought some land in Blackford county, but sold it and then
acquired the interests of the other heirs in the old family place. Here
he has lived as proprietor since 1883 and it is his management chiefly
that has given the Wheatland Farm its well deserved fame among the
, agi-icultural homesteads of Jackson Township. One improvement after
another has been made and a large part of the revenues from the land
have returned to its improvement and enrichment. In 1884 he erected
one of the most commodious barns in the township, and his modern
residence followed five years later.

Mr. Huffman has always been a combination crop gi-ower and stock
raiser. His farm comprises about 400 acres, and at one time there were
a number of producing oil wells on the land.

His investments have also gone into other properties, including a
business block in the town of Warren and dwelling houses and other
property in Montpelier. For a number of years Mr. Hiiffman has had
varied interests to look after, but finds his chief pleasure still in super-
vising his fields and the growing and breeding of fine livestock. He
has been one of the leading Shorthorn cattle breeders of the county, and
has also handled Poland China and Duroc hogs. From his farm many
high grade animals have been introduced to other farms in the county
and have served to raise the standards of livestock in the entire county.

^Material prosperity has always been the means and not the ultimate
end and aim of Mr. Huffman's career. He and his wife have long been
devoted members of the German Baptist Church, and through the
church and its varied activities have not only expressed their own
religious ideals but have found a means of doing good and enriching
the moral life of their community. He has been interested in politics

59i ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

chiefly as the instrument through which worthy community projects
can be carried out. He has always been a democratic voter, is a man o£
strong convictions on political and economic questions, and he rendered
some valuable service to the county as county commissioner from 1907
to 1910. He is now a member of the Wells County Hospital Board.

Mr. and ilrs. Huffman have two children, Ardella and Josepliine A.
Ardella is the wife of "Watson Hayward. Josephine A. married L")auiel
Roseoe Hardman.

Daniel R. Hardman, who with his wife occupies a fine farm in Jack-
sou Township two miles west of I\Iount Zion and four miles southeast
of Warren, was born in Lancaster Township of Wells County February
37, 1875, a son of Joel P. and Maxtha P. (Winebrenner) Hardman.
He gi-ew up on a farm near Lancaster Center in Huntington County,
was educated in the common schools, and for a time was a student in the
Monument School and took special training at Huntington. For five
years he taught in Lancaster Township and for a similar period was a
teacher in Salamouie Township. Though his work as a teacher made
him exceedingly popular in that vocation, he finally gave it up for a
business career. He was for ten years in charge of the Montpelier
Lumber Company at Montpelier, but in 1913 came to the farm where
he now lives. On ilarch 3, 1898, ]Mr. Hardman married Miss Josephine
A. Huffman. They have one daughter, ^Margaret. They are active
members of the Church of the Brethren and Mr. Hardman is a dem-
ocratic voter.

Frank E. Ehle. Standing upon a high plane of affluence and
influence is Frank E. Ehle, a well known druggist of Bluffton, Indiana.
Brought up on a farm in French Township, Adams County, he there
acquired his rudimentary education, attending the District School
until fifteen years old. On September -4, 1890, he entered the Bluffton
High School where he continued his studies for three years. The
ensuing eighteen months Mr. Ehle was salesman in a dry goods store,
and for a time after that was variously employed. From September,
1894, until September, 1895, he was employed as a clerk in the drug
store of L. C. Davenport, in Bluffton, and there made his initial
acquaintance with the drug business. Going then to Lafayette, Indiana,
Mr. Ehle entered Purdue University, from which he was graduated with
the degTees of Ph. C. and Ph. G. in the spring of 1897. He immediately
returned to Bluffton and four years later, in March, 1901, bought a
half interest in the business of his employer, L. C. Davenport, and began
life for himself as junior member of the firm of Davenport & Ehle.
On January 13, 1917, Mr. Davenport died, but the business has since
lieen continued under the same name. This fii'm has been successful in
its operations, being financially interested in other drug establishments,
including one at Decatur and one at Huntington and the Public Drug
Company at Bluffton, Indiana. 'Sir. Ehle is also connected with a
5 and l6-cent store at Wabash, Indiana, and is one of the directors of
the W. B. Brown Company.

]Mr. Ehle is an active and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and as one of its official board is prominent in the manage-
ment of its affairs. Ft-aternally ilr. Ehle is influential in Masonic
circles, being a member, and past master, of Bluffton Lodge No. 145,
Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; a member, and high
priest, of Bluffton Chapter No. 95, Royal Arch jMasons; a member of
Bluffton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, and a member of the
Ancient Araliic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also
a member of Blufl:ton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, and of the

ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES 595

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically lie is a republican
and actively interested in current affairs, regardless of party affil-
iations.

A. A. Hauk. The opportunities presented by Wells County, Indiana,
for successful agi'iculture, have been recognized by many men of farm
experience and matured judgment, and one of the.se is A. A. Hauk, who
owns the northeast one quarter of section 19, Harrison To\\aishiii. It is
a valuable property and Mr. Hauk has made many substantial improve-
ments here.

A. A. Hauk was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, December 17,
1859, and is a son of Daniel and Missouri (Tracy) Hauk. His father was
born March 4, 1830, at Venice, in Erie County, Ohio, and his mother in
Montgomery County, Indiana. Daniel Hauk was six years old when he
accompanied his parents to Montgomery County, and he was reared near
Waynetown, where the family lived until 1860. He was married in Mont-
gomery County and some time afterward moved to Benton County,
Indiana, where he entered 160 acres of land from the government, for
which he paid $1.25 per acre. It was a wise invt'stmeiit as in 1901 he sold
that same land for $200 per acre. After the dcatli of his wife, Daniel
Hauk returned to Montgomery County and still resides there. He has
always been a democrat in politics and is a member of the Christian
Church. He is known as an honest, upright man and a true Christian.
His family consisted of five sons and two daughters. All the sons died
in infancy except A. A. One daughter also survives. Miss Sarah, who
lives with her father in Montgomery County, carefully looking after his
comfort as he is now an aged man.

A. A. Hauk was three years old when the family moved to Benton
County and there he obtained his education in t!ie district schools. After
his mother's death his father returned to Montgomery Country as stated
above, but he remained on the Benton County farm until 1901, and after
it was sold came to his present property in Wells County.

Mr. Hauk was married first to Miss Emma Moore, who died after the
birth of two children, a daughter and son, Ethel and Earl. The former
is the wife of Albert Sterner, a farmer in Harrison Township, and the
latter is operating his own farm in Montgomery County, ilr. Hauk's
second marriage was to Miss Eliza Watson, and they have two children,
Ida and George A. The former, a highly educated young lady, is a
graduate of the Bluffton High School and of Defiance College, and is a
teacher in the Tocsin High School. George A. is a prosperous farmer in
Harrison Township, Wells County. He married ]\Iiss Fay Chalfont.

In politics Mr. Hauk is a sound democrat. He has never desired
political honors although men of his good, common sense and practical
ideas are invaluable as public officials. He is a faithful member and
liberal supporter of the Six Mile Christian Church. He is well known over
several counties and everywhere is held in respect.

Charles B. Gavin. A worthy and able representative of the agri-
cultural interests of Wells County, Liberty Township, Charles B. Gavin
is successfully engaged in his pleasant calling on a well cultivated farm,
which is furnished with an excellent set of buildings and plenty of
farming machinery of the most approved kinds. A son of James B.
Gavin, he was born. July 29. 1872, on tiie farm he now owns and
occupies.

His paternal grandfather. George Gavin, was liorn, bred and educated
in Ireland. During his earlier life he was a member of the Royal Irish
Constabulary, or government police force, as such doing duty in some

396 ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES

of the larger cities of the Emerald Isle. Immigrating with his family to
the United States in 1848, he spent six years in Ross County, Ohio, from
there coming, is 1854, to Wells County, Indiana. He first bought land
in Harrison Township, near Six Mile, Ijut later bought land in section 5,
Liberty Township, where he continued a farmer during his remaining
days. He married, in Ireland, Mary Benton, who bore him seve-i
children, as follows: Robert, Mary, Sarah, James B., Delilah, Henry J.,
and Henrietta.

Born in Comity Galway, Ireland, August 10, 1845, James B. Gavin
was hut two years old when brought by his parents to the United
States. Selecting fanning as his occupation, he managed the parental
homestead for about five years after his marriage, after which he bought
160 acres of land in section 36, Liberty Township, and moved upon it.
He subsequently purchased eighty acres of near-by laud, and by sub-
sequent investments obtained title to upwards of 500 acres of good land
in Liberty Township. He has more recently divided his land among
his children, and is now living retired from active business, his home,
since 1907, having been at No. 218 East Market Street, Bluffton,
Indiana.

James B. Gavin married, March 31, 1870, Rebecca Hedges. Shs
was born in Harrison Township, Wells County, July 6, 1848, a daughter
of Robert and Sophia (Kirkwood) Hedges, and granddaughter of
Elijah Hedges, who came to Indiana from Virginia in pioneer days.
Eight children were born of their imion, five of whom are living, as
follows: Charles B. ; William J.; Maiy, wife of B. F. Buckner, of
Liberty Township; Prank T., of Bluff ton; and Theophilus, who was
gi-aduated from college in Adrian, Michigan, taught school in both
Texas and Kansas and is now a resident of Liberty Township.

Having aeqiiired his rudimentary education in the district schools,
Charles B. Gavin continued his studies for a year at the Marion Normal
School. Beginning life for himself, he migi-ated to Kansas, and for
about a year was located in Marshall Coimty. Not at all pleased with
his prospects in that state, he returned to his home state and resumed
farming. Subsequently Jlr. Gavin moved with his family to North
Dakota, where he purchased 160 acres of wild land, and began its
improvement, his home in the meantime having been near Aberdeen,
South Dakota. Three years later, in November, 1911, Mr. Gavin
assumed possession of the eighty-acre farm he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Gavin married, September 30, 1894, Miss Lydia M. Bay, who was
born in Liberty Township, a daughter of Harrison and Jane (Shoe-
maker) Bay. Five children have been born into the household thus
established, namely : Harrv- B., now serving as a soldier, is stationed at
San Antonio, Texas ; Cecil B. ; George D. ; Garrett ; and James R.
Politically Mr. Gavin is an earnest supporter of the principles of the
democratic party. Fraternally he is a member, and past noble gi'and,
of Liberty Center Lodge No. 747. Independent Order of Odd Fellows;
a member, also, of the Bluffton Encampment ; and of the Loyal Order
of Moose.

Forrest Riddile, a prosperous and successful farmer of Rock Creek
Township near Uniondale, is cultivating land which has been in the
continuous ownership and occupation of members of his family for
three successive generations. Four generations of the family have been
represented in Wells County.

His great-grandfather. Samuel J. Riddile, was born in Wa.shington
County. Pennsylvania, in 1800, a son of Samuel and Martha (Johnson)
Riddile and a grandson of David Riddile who was of Scotch descent.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 597

Samuel Riddile moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1807, and became
prominent as the owner of a saw and grist mill, a carding mill, and also
operated a distillery for a time. It was in that county that Samuel J.
Riddile grew to manhood, and in 1824 he married Miss Matilda Taylor,
who was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1800. daughter
of George and Betsy Taylor, of Irish "ancestry. The Taylor family had
moved to Portage County, Ohio, in 1804. After his marriage Samuel
J. Riddile settled on a farm near his father's home, but in 1840 came to
Wells County, Indiana, and bought 160 acres of wild land near Bluff-
ton. He developed and improved that place and lived there until his
death in 1855. At the time of his death he was and had been for a
number of years an elder in the Presbvterian Church. His wife died
in 1850.

Samuel L. Riddile, grandfather of Forrest Riddile. was one of a
family of five children, and was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, March
12, 1827. He was thirteen years of age when his parents came to Wells
County, and he was old enough to take an active part in the clearing
of the woods and the development of a pioneer farm. His education
was largely acquired in a subscription school held in a log cabin. After
reaching manhood he was given eighty acres of the old homestead by his
father, and he proceeded industriously with the clearing away of the
woods and the making of a good farm. This place was in Harrison
Township, but in 1864 he sold it and bought 160 acres in section 12 of
Rock Creek Township. In 1886 he removed to Bluffton. He was an
active democrat, filled the office of township trustee and was also a
county commissioner. He and his wife were stanch members of the
Presbyterian Church. Samuel L. Riddile married March 10, 1857, Miss
Mary A. Van Emon, who was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1837,
and was brought to Wells County by her parents in 1847. The children
of Samuel L. Riddile and wife were three in n\;mber, the only son being
James Theodore.

James Theodore Riddile, father of Forrest, was for many years
identified with the farming activities of Wells County, assisted his father
in clearing some of the land, and lived in Rock Creek Township until
his death on February 17, 1900. He married Lizzie King, also a native
of Wells County, and she is still living. There were only two children,
Mary, deceased, and Forrest.

Forrest Riddile was born on the old homestead in Rock Creek Town-
ship October 29, 1893. He acquired a good education in the public
schools of Bluffton and also took a course in the Agricultural School at
W'inona, Indiana. IMr. Riddile is now owner of ninety-two acres of land
and his mother owns a place of forty-seven acres. All of this is under
his personal direction, and either as an agriculturist or as a public
spirited citizen he has done credit to a family that has been for so long
identified with this county. He is a republican voter and a member of
the Reformed Church.

Mr. Riddile married Miss Bertha Viola Schwartz, daughter of Oscar
and Annie Schwartz of Rock Creek Township. Three children have been
born to their marriage: Lloyd S., Alice Evangeline and IMartha ]\[ary.
Mrs. Riddile has brothers and sisters named David, Otis. Sda and Ida,
all unmarried.

Mrs. Susannah Snyder. It is a wonderful thing to have lived to be
ninety-two years old and such has been the experience of IMrs. Susannah
Snyder, who has been a resident of Lancaster Township and on the same
farm, for the past fifty-seven years. ^Mrs. Snyder is one of the best

598 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

known women in this part of Wells Count}- and has family and friends
who love and esteem her.

Mrs. Snyder was born in Greene County, Ohio, September 21, 1826.
Her father was named John W. Wolf and he was twice married,
first to Mary Hawker and second to Rebecca Swadner. The children of
his first marriage were: Israel. Andrew, Catherine, Abraham, Susannah,
Cxeorge. Mai-y, Louise and ]\Ialiuda. Those of the second marriage were:
William. Mei'ij^miin. -lolin .^I., Edward, Martha and Elizabeth. The par-
ents (if Mrs. Sn\(lci' were liorn in Pennsylvania and moved to Green
Comity. Olii... Ix'tniv tlir War of 1812. The father died June 21, 1877.

.Mi's. SiiydiT was reared in Ohio and was married there September 23,
lsr>2. 1o -Idlin l-'rederiek Snyder, who was born in Germany June 24, 1816,
and died April 21. 1S77, in Wells County, Indiana. He came here in 1861
with his family. They had 133 acres of very valuable land which
is now owned by the son, Walter D., who lives with his mother, and
carries on general farming and stockraising and is counted one of the
good farmers iif the township.

jMrs. Snyder lias three children: Chai'les Allen, a practicing physi-
cian of DuliU(iue, Iowa, for 31 years, married Hattie Richard?, of Farley,
Iowa ; Alice Augusta, who married Newton Hannah, of Wells County,
died December 2, 1897 ; and Walter D., who is unmarried. Walter D.
Snyder is one of the staunch democrats of this "section of the county but
has never been willing to serve in any political office. He belongs to the
Order of the ]\Ioose and is identified with Lodge No. 242 at Bluffton,
Indiana.

. Although it was not a pioneer period when Mrs. Snyder came to
Wells County, conditions of living were very different from now and
many of the comforts she enjoys were not even thought of at that time.
Her farm also was largely unimproved land and there was much hard
work to be done by the whole family before its present fine condition was
even approached. For one of her years ]\Irs. Snyder is very active and
keeps interested in all that goes on about her and loves to have her many
friends visit her. She has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for
many years.

William I. Clingenpeel. Indiana people have great reason to be
proud of their fine gravel roads, in the making of which many thousands
of dollars have been expended, and their care and supervision requires
the services of dependable, experienced men. Such a man is found in
William I. Clingenpeel, who, for the past eight years has been the effi-
cient superintendent of twenty-five miles of gravel roads. Mr. Clingen-
peel is also a large fruit grower in Jackson Township, Wells County.

William I. Clingenpeel was born in Wayne Town.ship. Huntington
County, Indiana, February 17, 1856. His parents were Jacob F. and
Lavina (Batson) Clingenpeel. His father was born in Germany and in
boyhood came tp the United States. He grew to manhood in Pennsyl-
vania and then came to Indiana, settling on land twelve miles west of
Warren, on which he resided until 1856, when he moved to Jackson
Township, in Wells County. One year later he removed to Wabash
County, Indiana, where he made his home for seven years and then re-
turneci to Huntington County. About nine months later his wife died
and he returned then to Wells County and lived with his son, William
I. Clingenpeel, but finally died in Huntington County. He was the
father of seven children and three of these survive, namely: Abraham,
who lives in Pulaski County, Indiana : Willard, who resides in Hunting-
ton County: and W^illiam I., of Wells County.

William I. Clingenpeel was eleven years old when his beloved mother

ADAxAIS AND WELLS COUNTIES 599

died and her departure was a sad blow to the whole family. His father,
as noted above, returned with hiui to Wells County but the boy had his
own way to make in the world, his father not being able to assist him.
Therefore he had but meager educational advantages and for a number
of years led a very toilsome life. He made friends, however, through his
integrity and cheerful industry, and by the time he was twenty-six
years old was in comfortable enoiii:!! liiKincial circumstances as to enable
him to marry. On Februai-y 2."), 1>>l', Ik was united with Miss Anna E.
McElhaney, who was born in Liliniy Township, Wells County, May 17,
1860. After marriage they scttlcil 2\<. miles distant from her father's
farm and ilr. Clingenpeel has devoted himself mainly to the gi'owing of
fruit and has lieen very sucrossful. A large part of his time, however,
is taken vip l)y tbc duties nf his |iulilic office.

Mr. antl Mrs. (■|iii:.:vii|>fc| iiavc two children, namely: Mertie P., who
is the wife of Lloyd Stniup, of Siilaiiionie Towaiship, Huntington County,
Indiana ; and Alma, who is the wife of Benjamin E. Huffman, a farmer
of the above township. Both daughters were given educational oppor-
tunities and were reared to be capable and frugal housekeepers by a
careful mother. Mr. and ^Irs. Clingenpeel are among the valued mem-
bers of the United Brethren Church at Mount Zion, Indiana, and both by
precept and example are good influences in their community. ^Ir.
Clingenpeel has always been identified with the democratic party since
he cast his first vote.

Beuce W. Shoem.vker, one of the most progressive and successful
agriculturists of Wells County, is the owner of a handsome farm of 2-iO
acres in Lancaster Township. His methods of farm management show
sound judgment, combined with deep scientific knowledge of his voca-
tion, and the- results of his labors demonstrate the fact that high class
farming as an occupation may be made profitable as well as pleasant.
He has spent nearly all his life since infancy in Wells County and during
that time has firmly established himself in the respect and esteem of his
fellow citizens.

He is a son of a Wells County pioneer, the late John Shoemaker.
John Shoemaker was born in Columbiana County, Ohio. October 22,
1819. His grandfather, John, was a native of England. The parents of
the Wells County pioneer were William and Betsey (Welcer) Shoe-
maker, the former a native of ^Maryland and the latter a native of
Pennsylvania, daughter of John Welcer, of German ancestrv. John
Shoemaker when a child and after his mother's death went to the home
of his grandparents and lived with them imtil he was nineteen. He had
to content himself -nath a limited amount of schooling. While learning
the blacksmith's trade he served an apprenticeship of two years, his
wages being only $2.50 a month. After a year of work as a journeyman
he set up a shop in Mahoning County, Ohio, and followed his trade there
for twelve years.

John Shoemaker came to Wells County in 1854. During the next ten
years he was known as one of the relialile and industrious blacksmiths
of Bluffton, and while at his trade gradually accumulated the capital
which enabled him to fulfill his desires and become a farmer. In 1864
he moved to a tract of 200 acres of unimproved land in sections 5 and 8
of Harrison Township, and his labors gradually transformed that land
into one of the best farms according to the standards of earlier years.
The farm has special interest because the first tile factory in Wells
County was established on part of the land in 1868. It was continued
in operation until 1884. and during those years most of the tile used for
drainage in Wells and adjoining counties was made in that factoiy.

600 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

John Shoemaker exemplified a sturdy character both as a farmer, business
man and citizen, was a stanch supporter of the republican party, and he
and his wife were devout members of the Christian Church. He mai-ried,
March 17, 1842, Rachel Johnson, who was born in Beaver County,
Pennsylvania, April 8, 1825, daughter of John and Catherine (Kline)
Johnson, both natives of Pennsylvania, her father of English and her
mother of German ancestry. When Mrs. John Shoemaker was ten years
of age her parents moved to Ohio. Ten children were born to John Shoe-
maker and wife, and the eight who reached mature years were Warren
K., Bruce W., John J., Taylor F., Jane, Harriet, Ella and Lizzie.

Bruce W. Shoemaker was born in ilahoning County, Ohio, October
23, 1852, but has no memory of his birthplace, since when he was two
years of age the family came to Wells County. He spent part of his
"boyhood in Bluffton, "but his chief memories center around the old
homestead in Harrison Township. There he grew to manhood, finished
his education in the local schools and for the past forty years has been
one of the active farmers of his community. Mr. Shoemaker is a republi-
can in politics.

September 7, 1880, he married Anna F. Quick, daughter of John and
Annie E. (Beeler) Quick. Mrs. Shoemaker has two sisters: Julia E.,
wife of Robert Reynolds, and Emma R., who married Stout Patterson
and lives at Seattle, Washington. She also has a half sister, living at
Bluffton and half brothers named James R. and John W., the latter a
bookkeeper for the Gulf Refining Compam- and living at Port Arthur,
Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker have a family of four capable sons, John
W., Harry E., Raymond B. and Ernest H. Only one is married, John
W., whose wife was Jeanette Sherlock, of Port Arthur, Texas. The son
Harry's career has been followed with special interest and is a matter
of pride to all Wells County people. He graduated from the Annapolis
Naval Academy in 1905, and now ranks as a lieutenant commander in
the United States Navj'. The son Raymond is a teacher in the manual
training school at Garj', Indiana. These sons were all well educated,
and Mr. Bruce Shoemaker himself is a man of more than average educa-
tion and attainments, having spent thi-ee years in the University of
Indiana at Blooming-ton before taking up his steady work as a farmer.

George F. McFarren. Any number of successful business men in
Wells County and elsewhere have frequently taken the opportunity to
express their gratitude for the business training and association they
had with the late George F. ^McFarren, whose name stands out as one
of the most conspicuous merchants, business men and citizens who
honored Bluffton with their presence and activity.

George F. McFarren was born in Salamonie Township of Hunting-
ton County, Indiana, May 30, 1844, and in the maturity of years and
performance died at Bluffton June 8, 1913. He was a son of Jacob and
Rachel ilcFarren, who were pioneer farmers and citizens of Huntington
County. Jacob McFarren enjoyed a good deal of prosperity for his
time and period, and his son owed much to him for the early influences
that surrounded his life. The father saw to it that the boy had ample
opportunities to secure an education.

With his boyhood days spent on the farm in Huntington County
George F. ]\IcFarren accompanied his parents in the '50s to Wells
County, and as strength permitted he took an increasing sliare of the
responsibilities on the farm, attending district school regularly every
winter. He made such good use of his opportunities in this way that he
became a teacher and for several years taught, and might have had a

ADAJMS AND WELLS COUXTIES 601

brilliant career in that profession had he chosen it permanently. He
was especially proficient in mathematics and in his time was regarded
with hardly a peer in that subject in Wells County.

To secure a better commercial training he entered the Iron City Com-
mercial School at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taking the regular" course
in bookkeeping. In 1866 returning to Bluft'ton he was oft'ered the posi-
tion of deputy auditor and tilled that place with mai'ked ability. Later
he engaged in the grocery business and was soon enjoying a trade far
beyond his most ardent expectations.

In 1880 Mr. McFarren bought an old property at the northeast cor-
ner of Main Street and Market Street in Bluffton, tore down the old
building, and replaced it with a substantial brick structure which is
still standing and is still one of the best business buildings in the city.
Here he opened the general clothing business with which he was actively
connected until his death. He was the type of business man who figures
everything out accurately before venturing and pursued his object with
such energy that he made his plans as nearly perfect as is ever possible
in human affairs. At the organization of the Wells County Bank he was
one of its promoters and remained on the board of directors until his
death. He also invested heavih^ in the oil districts of Adams and Wells
counties, and that investment was another proof of his foresight and
good judgTQent.

Those who were long and closely associated with him will recall his
readiness to support and promote any just and honorable cause for the
benefit of the community. But his usefulness as a citizen went beyond
this point and he was equally aggi-essive in combating anything which
he believed would result in harm to the city or county. He was a very
active member and liberal supporter of the Baptist Church. Honest toil,
perfect integrity of character, and shrewd and accurate business judg-
ment were the factors chiefly responsible for George F. McFarren 's high
position in business and civic affairs at Bluffton.

He was twice married. December 25, 1866, Martha J. I\Iiller became
his wife. She died June 14, 1874, leaving one daughter, W. M., who was
born May 9, 1869, graduated from the Bluffton High School in 1886 and
is now the wife of Will S. Smith of Bluft'ton. On December 28, 1875,
]\Ir. McFarren married Martha J. Bennett. She was born in Bluffton
December 1, 1849, a daughter of R. C. and Harriet Bennett, one of the
oldest and most prominent families of Wells County. By this marriage
George F. McFarren had two sons : Harrv A., born April 2, 1877, and
Earl R., bom May 15, 1884.

Earl R. McFarren, who inherits much of the business ability of his
honored father, is one of the live and enterprising merchants of Bluft'-
ton. He was born at the northeast corner of Main and Market streets in
Bluffton May 15, 1884. In his native city he spent his early life, attended
the Bluffton High School and for three years was in the Howe Military
School at Howe, Indiana, where in addition to literary studies he ac-
quired much knowledge of militai-y technique. He was also a student
at Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana. Mr. McFarren served a
thorough business apprenticeship under his father and is now proprietor
of the McFarren shoe store and is also owner of the Home lee Plant.
He has a half interest in the five and ten cent store at Greenfield, Indiana.

April 27, 1904, Mr. McFarren married Miss ilary E. Hanna, who was
born and reared in Boone County, Indiana, coming to Wells County with
her mother who was a sister of Mr. John A. ^lorris. Mr. and Mrs.
McFarren have two children : Geoi-ge F., born December 3. 1908 ; and
Mary J., born January 26, 1918. Mr. and iMrs. McFan-en are active
members and supportei-s of the Baptist Church. He is affiliated with

602 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Bliiffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted ]\Iasons, with the
Royal Arch Chapter, with Council No. 63, Royal and Select Masters,
Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, being a thirty-second degree
]Mason and member of Mizpah Shrine, Port Wayne. He is also identi-
fied with the Scottish Rite at Fort Wayne. With the Knights of Pythias
he is affiliated in Blutfton Lodge No. 92. Mr. ilcFarran is a democrat,
though politics makes a slight demand upon his time and aside from his
business he gives his chief support to the broader mo^■ements which rep-
resent the welfare of the community.

William L. Joxes. Among the highly respected meinliers of the
agricultural fraternity in Chester Township none stands higher iu public
esteem than William L. Jones. With the exception of several short
periods he has made his home here all his life and his name is inseparably
connected with its agricultural interests, for he has made farming his
life work, and today is the owner of a property consisting of eighty
acres, his home being located on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Mr. Jones was born on a farm in Jackson County, Ohio, May 14,
1853, and is a son of Robert F. and Lavina (Tripp) Jones, who were
both born and reared in Ohio and there married. After the birth of
three of their children, they came to Wells County, in September, 1853,
and settled on the farm which is now owned by their son William L.
They were honest and honorable people who won the confideuce and
respect of the people of their neighborhood, large of heart and generous
of hand. Both rounded out well tilled lives amid the surroundings
of an agricultural atmosphere, and here passed away. Mr. Jones the
elder was somewhat active in local politics, although principally as a
supporter of others and seldom as a candidate. However, he served
acceptably for three years in the capacity of township assessor. He
belonged to the Masonic Lodge. Of the eight children born to him and
Mrs. Jones, four are now living: James A., a resident of Illinois;
William L. ; Theodore, whose home is in the state of Washington ; and
Oliver, w%o lives in Alaska.

William L. Jones was still a babe in arms when brought by his parents
to Wells County, and his earliest recollections are connected with the
home farm and the primitive conditions which still existed. During his
boyhood he assisted in the cultivation of the family acres and iu the
meantime secured his education by attending the district school in the
neighborhood of the Jones place. Upon several occasions he went away
from home to work, but dutifully sent his wages to his parents, and it
was not until he was twenty-one years old that he had money of his own
to spend as he wished. Farming up to and after that time was his prin-
cipal occupation, but he also worked for a short period in e sawmill at
Bluft'ton and put in quite a good deal of time as a ditch contractor, of
both of which employments he made a success. He was careful with his
earnings, saving them thriftily, and when his parents died he bought the
home place, taking over by purchase the interests of the other heirs to
the estate. At the present time he is the owner of eighty acres of well-
cultivated and productive land, lying in section 5, Chester Township,
where he had modern improvements and good buildings. He has made a
decided success of his operations as a general farmer, being thoroughly
informed as to every department of his vocation, while in the estimation
of the community he has shown his worth and uscfvilness as a public-
spirited citizen. Personally he is big-hearted and generous and willing
to help worthy movements. Fraternally, I\Ir. Jones is identified with
]\Iount Zion Lodge No. 684, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of
which he is past noble grand, and a member of the Grand Lodge of the

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 603

state. He is a democrat and has always been active in local affairs, al-
though he has not cared for office. Mr. Jones is unmarried.

William F. Newhard. The work and activities of the Newhard
family especially identify them with that section of Wells County in
and around Uniondale, a village in Union Townshii) which largely owes
its primary business enterprise and upliuilding to the Newhards! AVil-
liam P. Newhard himself was in business there for a nuinlicr of years,
but subsequently took up farming in Kock Creek Township, where he
still has his home.

Mr. Newhard was born in Ohio and was a small child when his parents
came to Wells County in 1859. His grandparents, Samuel anl Eliza-
beth (Weaver) Newhard, were natives of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
William J. Newhard, father of William F., was born in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, and in 1837 removed with his parents and other children
to ilahoning County, Ohio, where his mother died. William J. Newhard
•was the only one of his parents' family to come to Indiana. On Decem-
ber 15, 1853, he married JIary A. Ashburn, daughter of Joseph and
Elizabeth (Hart) Ashburn. She died August 18, 1874, the mother of
seven children, the first three born in Ohio. Their names were Sarah E.,
Henry N., William F., Emma E., Samuel W., Ida B. and Oscar 0. In
1875 William J. Newhard mari-ied Miss Eliza Crum, of Mahoning
County.

On coming to Wells Couuty in 1859 William J. Newhard located in
Union Township and bought a tract of land which was absolutely un-
cleared with the exception of ten acres. The first improvement was a
small cabin, and that structure stood for many years, being cherished
because of its early associations. In course of time he acquired a farm
of over 200 aei-es. When Uniondale was platted in 1883 he was the
first to locate in the village and engage in business as a grain buyer. He
built his home in Uniondale in 1884, leaving two of his sons in charge
of the farm. He was also associated with Henry W. Lipke.y in the
general merchandise business, which was the first general store in Union-
dale. The grain business gi-ew and flourished, and largely through the
enterprise of the Newhards and their associates Uniondale became one
of the chief centers for the grain market in Wells County. A post
office was established at Uniondale in March, 1886, largely through the
influence of William J. Newhard, and he became deputy to Henry W.
Lipkey, who was appointed the first postmaster. William J. Newhard
was also elected justice of the peace of Union Township in 1877, and
filled that office four years.

William F. Newhard, who was born in Alahoning County, Ohio, was
brought to Wells County in childhood, grew up on his father's farm,
and contented himself with the advantages of the common schools. In
1884 he became associated with his father in the grain business at Union-
dale, but in March, 1890, he located on bis present farm of forty-eight
acres in Kock Creek Township, and this lins since luen his home and the
principal center of his activities. He has ydml land, improved with
good buildings, and the farm means all the more to him because he
personally cleared the land, which was formerly in the dense woods.
Mr. Newhard is an active member of the democratic party.

On December 2, 1883, he married iliss Emma Celestia Young,
daughter of Adam and Mary A. (Strauss) Young, of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Newhard 's brothers and sisters are Isabel, Monroe, John A., Amelia
and Mary A., the last three being deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Newhard 's family comprises eight children. Charles
C, the oldest, has twice married, his first wife being Maud Elberson and

604 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

his second Lena Mooney. Bessie L. is the wife of Charles Sehoeff. Oris
D. married Elsie P^ihrman. Minnie F. is the wife of C. M. Underhill.
Clyde C. married Tessie Hoffacker. Naomi married Gilbert Jarrett.
The two younger children, still single, are Cletus Ray and Valeria.

William A. Eckhart. Noteworthy among the active and self-re-
liant farmers of AVells County is William A. Eckliart, who is pleasantly
located in Liberty Township, where he has been engaged in his useful
calling for many years. He was born November 7, 1851, in Hocking
County, Ohio, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Grafton D.
and Priscilla (Mathias) Eckhart. His grandfather, Anthony Eckhart,
was born in the same countv, of German ancestry, and as a young man
served in the War of 1812.

Born, reared, and married in Hocking County, Ohio, Grafton D.
Eckhart remained there until 1880, when he came with his wife to Wells
County, Indiana, locating near Liberty Center, where both spent their
remaining years. He was a true and loyal citizen, and during the Mexi-
can war served as a soldier. They had several children, of whom the
following named are living: William A., with whom this sketch is chiefly
concerned ; Margaret, wife of Patrick Currau, of Liberty Township ;
Ellen, wife of Albert J. Johnson, who lives at Linn Grove, Adams
Countv ; and Jacoli Eckhart, of Libertj^ Township.

William A. Eckhart grew to man's estate on the home farm in Hock-
ing County, Ohio, and under his father's judicious training acquired a
practical knowledge of farming. Coming to Wells County, Indiana, in
the very early part of 1876, he soon married, and immediately settled
on the property where he has since lived. The eighty acres of land that
he bought was still in its pristine wilderness, but being industriovis and
energetic, he succeeded well in his task of clearing a homestead from the
wilderness, his estate, with its substantial improvements, giving ample
evidence to the passer-by of his thrift and skill as a general farmer and
stock-raiser.

ilr. Eckhart married, April 22, 1876, Clara Piy. She was born in
Lockville, Ohio, and as a girl came with her parents, Mr. and ilrs. James
H. Fry, to Wells County, where she has since lived. Nine children have
been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eckhart, namely : Grafton A. ;
Edna, wife of Dal Glass; Josie M., wife of Alva Jones; Augusta, living
at home ; Frank, of Akron, Ohio : ]\Iars' J. : Augustus ; Judson ; and Wil-
liam 0. In politics, Mr. Eckhart affiliates with the democratic party.
As a successful agriculturist, a trustworthy citizen, and a man of strict
integrity, he has the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends.

D. C. Huffman, M. D. A thoroughly trained, resourceful and skill-
ful physician and surgeon. Doctor Hufi'man has practiced his profession
in Wells County for many years and is now located at Poneto.

Born in Clark County, Ohio, October 29, 1855, a son of Jacob and
Sarah (Tennant) Huffman, the former a native of Clark County, Ohio,
and the latter of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The grandfather,
Jacob Huffman, was one of the pioneers who cleared away the wilder-
ness of Clark County, Ohio.

Doctor Huffman was well educated during his youth and entered
practice after a thorough schooling in medical institutions of learning.
In 1885 he came to Wells County, first locating at Mount Zion. where he
practiced seven years, and after that was in practice at Craigsville from
1892 until 1910. For the past seven years he has enjoyed a large prac-
tice and clientage at Poneto. He is a member of the Wells County

VS <^,Xo

^^

U^ vS)

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 605

Medical Society aud has done all lie could to advance the standards of
the medical profession.

In Clark County, Ohio, Doctor Hutfiuan married Miss Annie Lan-
daker. They have three children. The oldest, Werden, is a graduate
of the State University of Indiana, was for several years a science
teacher in the Hartford City schools and is now in the chemical de-
partment of the General Motor Works at Detroit, Michigan. The second
child. Pansy, is a graduate of the Craigsville High School aud is now
the wife of W. P. Kelander, who is connected with the Hupp Motor
Works at Detroit. Gideon Huffman, the yoimgest child, is a graduate
pharmacist and is now manager of the Rose City Pharmacy at New-
castle, Indiana. Doctor Huffman is a democrat in polities.

John R. Winters. One of the best known and highly regarded citi-
zens of Wells County is John R. Winters, who at different times has
been interested in business affairs at Bluff'ton, but is now absorbed in
the management of a fine farm in Harrison Township, adjoining the cor-
poration limits of Bluffton on the south, embracing 185 acres.

His birth occurred in the City of Bluffton August 9, 1858, and he
represents a well known pioneer name. His parents wei-e William R.
and Sarah (Evans) Winters. William R. Winters was born in Jefferson
County, Ohio, near Wintersville, April 3. 1817, his parents having moved
from Ohio to Pennsylvania early in the last century. Sarah Evans,
mother of Jolni R. Winters, was born in i\Iiami Count.y, Ohio, April 12,
1827, a daughter of Thomas" and Mi's. (Hughes) Evans. Her parents
were both born and reared in London, England, and on coming to the
United States landed in Philadelphia and later moved to Ohio, when
that state was one vast wilderness.

William R. Winters made his pioneer advent to the Town of Bluffton
in the spring of 1841. In early life he had learned tlie trade of plas-
terer but on coming to Bluffton he established a nursery where the Fair-
view Cemetery now is. It is said that he made the start of his nursery
business from se«ds which he carried with him in a knapsack, and after-
wards set out a big orchard. Later he and B. F. Wiley were engaged
in the grocery business at Bluffton. They sold their store during the
war. Along about that time he bought the old Winters farm, where his
sou John R. now lives, and in August, 1865, he occupied that place and
spent the rest of his days there. He was quite well to do, had excellent
business judgment and everything he undertook seemed to pi'osper. At
different times he had owned large tracts of land. For one year he pur-
sued the study of medicine but abandoned the idea of a professional
career. He was born and reared a Presbytei-ian, and assisted in build-
ing the old Presbyterian Church at Bluffton. Politically he was a stanch
republican aud at one time was a trustee of Harrison Township and also
served as a member of the Board of Review. He and his wife were mar-
ried in Lancaster Township of Wells County, and tliey became the
parents of ten children, four of whom lived to maturity. The mother,
who was a very liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church, died June
12, 1913. The living children are : John R. ; Rena J. ; Nora ; and Cora L.

John R. Winters was about six years of age when his parents moved
out to the farm, but he secured his education in the public schools of
Bluffton and left school to take up farming. Later for eight years he
was a partner in the Beehive Store of Bluff'ton, and since leaving com-
mercial affairs has given his best efforts to the management of his
fine farm.

In November, 1904, ilr. Winters married Miss May Clover. She was
born in Pennsvlvania and was educated at Geneva, Pennsylvania. Her

606 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

father R. B. Clovei- was a piv.mineut figure in the Clover Leaf Railway
Company for many years. Mrs. Winters is very active in the Presby-
terian Church, being a deaconess, and took much part in local social
affairs. Mr. Winters is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 92. Knights
of r\11iias, ami has always done what he could to support and upbuild
the strcnt;tli (if tlie republican party in this county, having served as
conunitteeiuan from his precinct for many years and as a delegate to
State and Congressional conventions, ilr. Winters was one of the orig-
inal members of the Bluffton Commercial Club. He is also affiliated
with Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Winters has gained an enviable reputation in business circles of
Wells County and is generally credited with being that type of man
whose spoken word is as good as a bond.

Charles E. Harvey, Sr. There are many industries and occupa-
tions that are of great importance to the human race, but none are .so
vital as those included under the name of general farming. The time
has come when the farmer in civilized lands must feed the world and
many of the most efficient farmers of Wells County are wide awake to
their opportunities and responsibilities. A well known example is found
in Charles E. Harvey, who belongs to one of the solid old families of
the county and is the owner of valuable land in Lancaster Township.

Charles E. Harvey was born in Wells County, Indiana, November 5,
1871. His parents were Jacob R, and Elizabeth (ililler) Harvey, both
natives of Indiana, the latter being the first white child born in Wells
County, where her parents were early pioneers. The mother of ;\Ir. Har-
vey died November 10, 1898. Her marriage to Jacob R. Harvey took
place in 1854, and they had five children, namely : Henry ilcClelland,
William S., Jacob E., John R. and Charles E. The father died April 26,
1904. He was one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of
Lancaster Township and owned the old Harvey homestead, which he
had purchased from the other heirs and lived on the same for seventy-
two years.

Charles E. Harvey grew to manhood on the old homestead and
obtained his education in the district schools. He took possession of
his present farm in Lancaster Township in April. 1896. It was already
improved with substantial buildings but Mr. Harvey has made many
additional improvements, such as a progressive farmer always takes
interest in, and the property has yearly increased in value. He carries
on the usual farm activities with the knowledge brought by experience
and has 107 acres of finely cultivated land. He makes a specialty of
breeding Durham cattle and one of the interesting exhibits of his farm
is his large herd of these beautiful animals.

Mr. Harvey was married October 6, 1894, to Miss Arrilla Hege, who
is a daughter of Amos and Mary Hege, old residents of Wells County.
They have one son, Harry Wells, born October 16, 1895, who has been
well educated and is his father's right hand man.

In his political views ^Ir. Harvey has always been a republican and
has worked unselfishly for his party's success, never being willing to
accept any political honors for himself. He is a hearty advocate for
good roads and lends his infiuence in support of worthy enterprises that
he recognizes will be helpful for this section. He and family are ehurch-
going people and for many years he has been a member of the Knights
of Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 92 at Bluffton, Indiana.

Charles Hoppacker. While Rock Creek Township certainly offers
many examples of the natural fertility of the soil, there is a large amount

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 607

of credit due to those who have so well developed its possibilities and
now own these productive farms, and one of these is Charles Hott'acker,
a well known and highly respected resident of this part of Wells County.

Charles Hoffaeker was born in Carroll County, 3Iaryland, January
28, 1874. His parents are Elijah F. and Joanna (Hare) Hoffaeker, who
were also born there and still are living on the old homestead. Of their
children, Charles is the eldest, the others being: ilary, who is the wife
of John Fowbk ; William F., who married Ada Raver ; Carrie, who is
the wife of William Boyer: and Cora, Elmer and John.

After r'oiii]il(^tiiis' the usual period of school attendance in Carroll
County, Cliarli's Ildftai-kci' assist, d Ids father on the home place as long
as he was ncfdcd ami tlirii stiiitrd out for himself. He came to Wells
County, Indiana, and when he settled on his present farm he immedi-
ately began making improvements. The land had been cleared but little
attempt at improving had l)een made, and the substantial farm buildings
now standing were all put up by IMr. Hoffaeker. He has 135 acres and
makes the entire farm give a good account of itself, his careful methods
making every acre productive. He carries on a general farming line
and grows grain, potatoes and fruit, and also raises some excellent cattle
and .stock.

Mr. Hoffaeker married Miss Winnie P^ichhorn, who is a daughter of
Philip and Ellen Eichhorn, farming people of Rock Creek Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoffaeker are members of the Lutheran Church. They
have a wide circle of friends and find pleasure in often entertaining them
in their hospitable home. ]\Ir. Hofl'ackcr votes with the democratic party.

A.\ROx L. iilussELMAX is pcrhaps best known over Wells County for
his successful work as an educator and only recently he gave up the
work of the schoolroom to begin his banking career as cashier of the
Fartncrs State Bank at Poneto. He came into this bank on July 9, 1917,
and besides his official imsition is also one of its stockholders. The other
(ifHi-ers are J. W. f'nuk president, and W. J. Popejoy, vice president.
Mr. jMusselman has the active executive details of the institution and his
personal popularity has meant much to its continued prosperity.

Mr. ilusselman has spent most of his life in Wells County l>ut was
born at Noblesville, Indiana, November 18, 1884, a son of I). II. and
iMary J. (Kelly) Musselman. His parents removed to Wells County in
1895, and he grew up on a farm and acquired most of his higher educa-
tion through his own earnings and efforts. He attended higli school at
Liberty Center, Indiana, and also attended institutions at ilarion, Hunt-
ington and Indianapolis, taking commercial work in the latter two cities.
He taught for a time in a district school, in Liberty Township, was
principal of the Poneto graded schools five .vears. and came to en.joy a
high standing and popularity in the ranks of local educators.

In 1910 Mr. ilusselman married iliss Edna McCleery, who was born
in Wells County, daughter of William McCleery. They have three young
children, Dayton. Ruby and Dorothy. Mr. JMusselman is affiliated with
Bhiffton Lodge No. 92. Knights of Pythias, and is present vice chancel-
lor, [n matters of politics he easts his vote as a democrat.

John W. Clowser has been numbered among the progressive men
of Lancaster Township for the past thirty years, conducts a well
appointed farm near Craigville, and under all the changing conditions
of a farmer's life, in bad seasons and good, and in eras of low prices and
high, has .so managed his affairs as to reach a position of independence,
which he now en.io.vs.

Mr. Clowser was born in Wells County September 10, 1863, a son of

6U8 ADAMS AND WELLS COLTXTIES

John and Sarah (Sehoeh) dowser, who were of Pennsylvania Dutch
stoek. John Clowser was reared and educated in AVells County and at
the heginninar of his career took up farming. He located on his present
place of eighty acres in 1887. and has since husied himself with general
crops and stock raising. He is a democrat in politics.

In April, 1887, he married Ida Kitchey, daughter of Adam and
Amanda Ritchey, who w^re Pennsylvanians. ]Mrs. Clowser 's brothers
and sisters are : Annie, wife of Edward Dailey ; ^lack, who married S.
Kleinknight : John : and Alice, who married Kurt Shady.

The children of Mr. and ]\Irs. Clowser are : Adelia. who married
Arley Brezendine ; Loyd. who married Velma Bryan ; Fay and ^lay,
twins, the former the wife of George Harris and the latter of Lantz
Wasson ; Merle, unmarried : Anise, wife of Clarence Fosnaugh ; and
Marie, wife of Reuben Wynn.

Fred Biberstine. Whether in war or in peace fortunate is the man
who owns a good farm in Wells County and possesses the ability and
energy to cultivate it and handle its resources to the best advantage.
Among the men who have enacted this successful role is Mr. Fred Biber-
stine of Harrison Town.ship.

The Biberstine farm of 11914 acres is a splendid business of itself,
and ^Ir. Biberstine is an agriculturist who knows how to get the most
out of it and at the same time conserve the fertility of the soil for future
years. His home is in section 19 of Harrison Township, 514 miles south-
east of Bluflfton, from which city he gets the daily mail over Rural
Route Xo. 6.

Mr. Biberstine was born at Vera Cruz. Indiana, October 20, 1875, a
son of Emanuel and Albertine (Bovine) Biberstine. His father was a
native of Ohio and his mother was born in Wells County, Indiana, in
1850 and is now living at Vera Cruz. The father died in Ma.v, 1911. He
was quite active and influential in democratic polities and a man of
sturdy industry who provided well for his large family of children.
There were nine of them and seven are still living.

Fred Biberstine lived at Vera Cruz until 1882 when his parents
moved to a farm in Harrison Township, and in that vicinity he attended
the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he began working for
himself and later married ^liss ilary Bart. ]\Irs. Biberstine wa.s reared
in Allen County, Indiana. After their marriage they lived for a time
in Vera Cruz, then on a farm, and about 1902 came to their present
place of residence. ^Ir. and Mrs. Biberstine have two children : Viola, a
graduate of the common schools and of the Blutfton High School : and
Andrew, who has completed the work of the common schools and is now
in the second year of the Bluffton High School. All the family are
active members of the Six Mile Christian Church. ]\Ir. Biberstine is a
democrat and is affiliated with the Bluflfton Lodge of the Loyal Order
of Moose.

William Smeltzer. Among the prosperous farmers of Rock Creek
Township. Wells Count.v, may be found many natives of Pennsylvania,
which, in itself, is a surety of good citizenship and usually of good fai-m-
ing. One of these is William Smeltzer. whose well improved farm shows
that he has had farm experience and that he takes a home-owner's pride
in his property.

William Smeltzer was born not many miles from Harrisburg. in
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. January 23. 1872. His parents were
David and ]\Iargaret Smeltzer. His mother died in 1874, when he was
two years old, and her burial was in the cemetery at Union Deposit,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 609

Dauphin Comity. His father was married tliree times. His second
marriage was to Amanda Page and his third marriage was to Sarah
Wirt. His children were : William, Robert, ilinnie, Samuel, John,
Anne, Harry. Margaret, Charles, Sadie, Roy and Ruth.

William Smeltzer obtained his education in the public schools of
his native state. In 1890 he came to Indiana and in 1898 he settled on
his present farm which contains eighty acres. Mr. Smeltzer found his
land needing ditching and he has put down considerable tile and in other
ways has done a large amount of improving. He has erected substantial
and comfortable farm buildings, makes use of modern machinery and
follows the modern methods that the intelligent and wide awake farmer
of today adopts. He raises the usual prodnets of this section and raises
enough stock for his own use. He is an industrious, hard working man,
with very sensible ideas on all sub.iects and has made a profitable feature
of his work the breeding of Shorthorn cattle.

Mr. Smeltzer was married March 27, 1895, to Miss Laura Ellingham,
who is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Braner) Ellingham, and
they have three children, two daughters and one son, Edna, Lola and
Earl. The eldest daughter is the wife of Calvin McAfee, a son of Peter
]\IeAfee, a well known resident of Rock Creek Township.

Charles T. Klingel. It was only after forty years of thorough
going activity as a farmer and stock man and participation in all those
affairs which were part of his community life that Charles T. Klingel
retired from the more active cares of business and is now living in Lib-
erty Center, with all the comforts that his worthy and well spent years
have so fully justified.

Mr. Klingel belongs to an old time family of Northeastern Indiana.
He was born on a farm a mile north and three-quarters of a mile west
of Liberty Center September 13, 185-4, a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth
(Jett) Klingel. His father, Jonathan Klingel, was long a prominent
citizen of Wells County. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, Septem-
ber 24, 1816, son of George and Jane (Allman) Klingel, natives of Penn-
sylvania and pioneers of Stark County. He spent his early life on a
farm and had for his education only such advantages as were supplied
by the early subscription schools. In 1850 he came to Indiana, settling
in Huntington County, where on October 20, 1850, he married ^liss
Elizabeth Jett. She was born in Bracken County, Kentudrs', May 17,
1835, daughter of Daniel and Matilda (Hanson) Jett, and she came to
Indiana when about fifteen years of age. After three years in Hunt-
ington County Jonathan Klingel removed to Wells County and located
on a farm in Liberty Township. Here he developed 160 acres and was
proispered until the end of his days. He had a varied experience in poli-
tics, beginning to vote as a whig, afterward joining the republican party
and ending up as a democrat. His wife was an active member of the
Baptist Church. They had three children : Jane J., wife of A. J. John-
son; Charles T. ; and Rosa Bell, wife of Roy Ander.son, of Bluffton.

Charles T. Klingel grew up on the old homestead in Liberty Town-
ship, attended the district schools, and in November. 1877, at the age of
twenty-three, married Miss Ann Wyatt, a native of Huntington County,
Indiana. After their marriage ^Ir. and Mrs. Klingel located on a farm
and began that industrious career which in subsequent years has made
them independent, prosperous and highly esteemed people of the county.
]\Ir. Klingel cultivated 100 acres of land for many years, and in 1914 he
turned over its management to younger men and moved to Liberty Cen-
ter, where he now enjoys the comforts of one of the most modern homes
of the village.

610 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

He and his wife have three living- children. Jennie is the widow of
Johnson Ware and lives at home. Minnie is the wife of Bert Hogau, a
traveling salesman. Mollie married Cleveland Luce and they live at
Fort Benton, Jlontana. The family are members of the Baptist Church,
and Jlr. Klingel has always supported the democratic ticket in polities.

B. F". Miller. Altlmugh a comparatively new-comer in the farming
community of Wells Cmiiity. P>. F. Miller, of Liberty Township, is a
man of keen foresi'jht ami i^ikhI business capacity, and in the manage-
ment of his farm shows cxd'Hent judgment, each season adding materi-
ally to the improvements previously inaugurated. A son of John A.
and Sarah (ilartin) JMiller, he was born in Harrison Township, Wells
County, April 22. 1870. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Miller, came
from Ohio to Indiana in 1S39, bringing with liim his wife and children.
Locating in 3Vells County, he entered from the Government 640 acres
of land lying southeast of Bluflfton, and began the improvement of a
homestead, living there imtil, while trying to arrest a horse thief, he
was shot, and died six hours later from the wound inflicted.

John A. ^liller was liorn in Darke County, Ohio, August 15. 1836,
and at the age of three years was brought by his parents to W^lls County,
Indiana. Following in tlie footsteps of his aneestoi's, he became a farmer.
Purchasing 160 acres of land in Harrison Township, he carried on gen-
eral farming with good results, and also did a remunerative business in
buying and shipping cattle. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away,
on his home farm. January 23, 1917. His wife, whose maiden name was
Sarah ilartin, was born in Adams County, Indiana, August 25. 1842.
and died in Harrison Township, Wells County, February 28, 1915. Of
the eight children born of their union, six are living, as follows : B. F.,
of this sketch : Robert H. ; John M., a farmer in Harrison Township ;
Josephus, of the same township; Rufus, a resident of Jewel County,
Kansas: and Harry, a commercial salesman, living in Illinois.

B. F. ]Miller was educated in the rural schools, and on the home
farm, where he lived until attaining his ma.iority, acquired valuable
experience in the science of agriculture. For seven years after his mar-
riage he was employed at the rolling mills in Muncie. Indiana, and later
worked at Hartford City, Indiana, for eighteen months. Turning his
attention then to agricultural pursuits. ]\Ir. Miller moved on to a farm
in Jav County, Indiana, where he remained for some time. On April
30, 1917, he came with his family to Liberty Township, buying fifty
acres, where he is now carrying on farming and stock growing with
excellent results.

Mr. ]\Iiller married. Jure 16. 1900, ]\[iss Ada Crnnin. a native of
Adams County. Indiana. Eight chi'dron have been born to ilr. and
Mrs. Miller, namely: John; Annie; Georgia, deceased; Robert; Harry;
Willie and Luther, and one died in infancy. Politically ilr. Miller is a
firm advocate of the principles of the republican party.

Ulysses Httnntci'tt. A man of good business capacity, industrious
and enterprising. ITlysses Hunnicutt is numbered among the pr'^sperous
agriculturists of Wells Countv. He was born May 25, 1862, in Jackson
Township, Wells Countv, of Englisji ancestry, his paternal grandfather
having emigrated from England to the United States, settling in Indiana.

"Sir. Hunnicutt 's father. Chnpell Hunnicutt. married when young,
and settled on a farm near Hickorv Grove, Jackson Township, where he
obtained a good start in life. Selling at an advantage, ho bought land
in Chester Township, not far from ]\Iount 7ion. .nnd there continued
his agricultural work for a while. Subsequently disposing of that farm,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 611

he bought a tract of land in Liberty Township, Wells County, and on
the farm that he improved spent the remainder of his days. To him
and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Robberts, fourteen
children were born, five of whom are now, in 1D17, living.

A lifelong resident of Wells County. I'lysses IIunnicuM acquired his
early kno\vledge of books in the disti-ict scIUhiIs, and on the home farm
g'ained an insight into the various branches of ag-riculture and a prac-
tical experience that has since been of much value to him. When ready
to begin the battle of life on his own account, Mr. Hunnicutt purchased
forty acres of land in Liberty Township, and iniiiifdiatcly Iieuan its
improvement. His laboi-s have always proved ivuniniT.ii i\ c. his huul
being in an excellent state of cultivation, the buiMini^N in i^dod repair,
and the farm Cdiiifurtably stocked. Mr. Hunnicutt has other interests
aside from farniiii!'. ciiryiiig on quite an extensive business as a mover
of houses and othrr liuildiiigs, a work for the purpose of which he has a
complete outfit. In 191iS he sold his farm and moved to Bluffton.

Mr. Hunnicutt married, in 1884, Delila Freel, who was born in Hunt-
ington, Indiana, and as a child of six years came with her parents to
Wells County, where she has since lived. Eleven children have been
born of the marriage of ;\Ir. and Mrs. Hunnicutt, nine of whom are liv-
ing, namely : Delcie, wife of George Jackson, of Petroleum, Indiana :
Mary, wife of Bert Davenport; Nellie, wife of Frank Howard: Frank;
Edsou, who married Ruth Allen, of Berne, Indiana : Earl ; Hugh, a
graduate of the Bluffton High School; Ethel; and Ralph. One died in
infancy and the other deceased child was Fredy. I'olit irally Mv. Hunni-
cutt is a consistent advocate of the principles of llie iT|iiililican party.
Fraternallv he is a memlier of Poneto Lodge No. 7.'>l^, IiKli'pfiident Order
of Odd Fellows.

Lewis E. Arnold. Some of the finest stock in Wells County are
bred and raised on the Highway Stock Farm of Lewis E. Arnold, lo-
cated ei/o miles south of Blufifton.

Mr. Arnold's specialty is registered Jersey cattle. At the present
writing he has a herd of about twenty-two headed by the notecl Pogis
Emperor William No. 148,707. This herd has been prize winners for a
number of years. Mr. Arnold exhibited them at the Bluffton Street
Fair in 1915 and 1916 and in 1915 his exhibits won five fii-sts and two
seconds, and in 1916 six firsts and four seconds, besides two grand
champions were among the trophies. In 1917 won six firsts, four seconds,
two grand chamiuons and first in herd. Besides these prize cattle 'Sir.
Arnold handles thoroughbred Duroc hogs and much other high class
livestock. The Highway Stock Farm contains 160 acres.

Mr. Arnold is a native of Adams County, Indiana, where he was born
September 23, 1860, a son of August and Augi^sta ( jahn) Arnold. His
parents were both natives of Saxony, Germany. August Arnold was a
tailor by trade and in 1S50 In'ouuiit liis family to the United States,
going from New York City to Wa>-iii' ('miiity, Ohio, and six months
later coming to Wells County, Indiana, and settling at Vera Cruz, where
he worked at his trade. In 1856 he bought forty acres of heavil^y tim-
bered land in Kirkland Towaiship of Adams County. The only improve-
ment on the land was a log cabin with a clapboard roof and puncheon
floor. This was the humble and somewhat straitened home of the Arnold
family until a hewed log house could be built. August Arnold died there
in February, 1865, at the age of forty-five. His widow afterwards
married Jacob Mosiman, and died in 1899. Five of the father's chil-
dren are still living: Frank, a farmer in Adams County; Lena, widow

612 ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES

of Clirist Ashbander; William C. of Liberty Center; Sarah, wife of
Robert Case of Decatur, Indiana ; and Lewis E.

Lewis E. Arnold grew up on his father's farm in Adams County,
but at the age of nine years was brought to Wells County and after
getting his education in the eommon schools he went to work as a farm
hand by the month. He also learned the carpenter's trade and followed
it as a means of livelihood for a number of years.

In 1889 he married iliss Sarah E. Warner, who died November 5,
1893, without children. In ]Mareh 23, 1895, he married Lydia Kirk-
wood, ilrs. Arnold was born in Nottingham Township of Wells County,
October 1, 1871, a daughter of George and ]\Iary (Warner) Kirkwood
and a granddaughter of William Kirkwood, Sr., a notable pioneer of this
section of Indiana concerning whom more information will be found
in other paragraphs. Mrs. Arnold was reared in Nottingham Township
and attended the public schools at Petroleum,

After their marriage Mr. and Jlrs. Arnold located at Ruth in Wells
County, and he bought a store which he .successfully conducted for ten
years. He then traded this mercantile enterprise for a farm in Jennings
County, Indiana, and lived on it nine years. Trading his farm for a
store at Balbec, he was for a year both a merchant and a farmer and
then sold his store for a farm near Portland. Later he acquired his
present property, the Highway Stock Farm. In ]March, 1918, he moved
to his present home, li/4 miles west of BlufiPton, known as the Jonas
Bender farm, which he purchased in October, 1917.

Mr. and ilrs. Arnold have one son, George il., who was born Jan-
uary 16, 1896. He attended the common schools, the Scipio, Indiana,
High School, and graduated from the Petroleum High School. He is
now located at Washington Court House, pursuing his business as a
draftsman. He is affiliated with Petroleum Lodge No. 721, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and is a republican in politics.

Lewis E. Arnold and wife are both active members of the Rebekahs,
in which she is past noble grand and is also a member of the Grand
Lodge. His Odd Fellow membership is with Petroleum Lodge No. 721
and he is a member of the Encampment at Bluifton.

William Kirkwood, gi'andfather of Mrs. L. E. Arnold, was born in
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1820, the youngest son
of William and Sophia (Goshard) Kirkwood, and his grandfather was
also named William. His father was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and
was brought to America at the age of three years, settling in 'Pennsyl-
vania where he grew up and married. He lived on a farm in Penns.yl-
vania until his death in 1823. His widow, Sophia, moved to Ro.ss County,
Ohio, with her family in 1834 and five years later settled in Fairfield
County, where she died at the advanced age of ninety years.

Mr. William Kirkwood 's early circumstances bordered on poverty
and were a stimulus to active effort and enterprise at an early age. At
the age of sixteen he began learning the tanner's trade in Ross County
and worked in that line as a journeyman in Fairfield County four years.
In 1843 he married Miss Susannah Gehrett, daughter of Henry and
Susanna Gehrett, who came from Berks County, Pennsylvania. The
children of tlieir marriage were Henry, George, Samuel, Mary Ann,
Sophia, John E., William, Susan and Cerilda.

About 1843 William Kirkwood engaged in business for himself in
Fairfield County and was associated with his brother-in-law about seven
years. In the fall of 1850 he brought his family to Wells County, lo-
cating in Nottingham Township, where he bought eighty acres of tim-
bered land in section 14. AVhile clearing up and developing his farm
he continued work at his trade for about seven years. In the meantime

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 613

he bought other tracts of wild land, and in the course of years had a
large property and an ample competence for himself and family. He
was one of the prominent democrats of the early days, and in 1852 was
elected a county commissioner and later served two terms as townshij)
trustee. In 1874 he was again elected county commissioner and whether
in private or in public life he exemplified those virtues which at all
times are the essentials of good citizenship.

William Ogle. Among the men who have devoted their lives to the
vocation of farming and have found health, prosperity and happiness
therein, one of the best known in Wells County is William Ogle. Mr.
Ogle has not lived his entire life in this county, for his operations have
taken him over a wide range of territory, but he has spent enough of
his career here to be familiar with its advancement and development and
to have taken an active part in those things which have brought about
progress and satisfying conditions in the agricultural class.

Mr. Ogle was born in Ohio, November 2, 1841, and is a son of Erastus
and Charlotte (O'Neal) Ogle. His fatlier, a native of Virginia, turned
liis face toward the West in young manhood, going to Ohio, where he
married a native of that state. Not satisfied with conditions as he found
them tliere, Erastus Ogle brought his family to Indiana in 1854, and
settled in Wayne County and died in Rush County, where he had passed
the closing years of his life on a farm. His widow subsequently moved
to Henry County, where she passed away. Mr. Ogle was a democrat
in politics, although not an active politician nor an office seeker. He and
his wife were the parents of thirteen children, of whom five are living
at this time: William, of this note; John H., who resides in Delaware
County, Indiana ; ilargarct and Elizabeth, both residents of this state ;
and Martin.

William Ogle was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his
parents to Indiana, and in the public schools of Rush County com-
pleted the education that he had commenced in his native state. He was
married in Fayette County, to Savannah C. Kirkwood, and after mar-
riage continued to reside in Indiana for three years, still carrying on
agricultural pursuits. Mr. Ogle then recognized an opportunity which
presented itself in Piatt County, Illinois, and, grasping it, went to that
state, where during the nest twenty years he accumulated a handsome
property. However, he eventually returned to Indiana and located in
Wells County, first on a property in Nottingham Towmship and finally
on his present farm, located on Poneto Rural Route No. 1, eleven miles
southwest of Bluffton, in Chester Township. He has developed a good
property, his home is well equipped with all the latest improvements and
conveniences, and because of his excellent business management in for-
mer years is now enabled to enjoy all the comforts and fnany of the
luxuries of life. His eighty acres all are under a high state of cultiva-
tion and produce excellent crops. In politics ilr. Ogle is a democrat,
but has taken no active part. He is what the public terms a self-made
man, having made all that he has by hard work and careful management,
Ijcing a man of exceptionally good judgment and close observation.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ogle there have lieen born eight sons, as follows :
James K., Walter E., Homer E. and Charles M., who reside at home and
assist their father in his agricultural work ; and Harry, Oscar, William
F. and Thermon I., deceased.

DoRPHis L. Drum. An example of business enterprise that presages
a very successful career is furnished by Dorphis L. Drum, one of the
younger citizens of Wells County and representative of an old and hon-

614 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

ored family in Lancaster To\raship. Mr. Drum is only tweuty-two j'ears
of age but is already engaged in independent business as proprietor of
a general store at Currjville in Lancaster Township. He bought this
store from his father's estate on August 16, 1917. Here he handles a
full line of goods, consisting of groceries, drj- goods, hai'dware, boots
and shoes, and automobile supplies. Mr. Di-um is an aggressive business
getter. He does not wait altogether for trade to come to him, but goes
out after it. He has an automobile truck fitted up especially for his
business and daily he loads it up with desirable merchandise and makes
the rounds of the country district, buying and selling and trading. He
has thus established himself as a commission and produce merchant and
is building up a business which is not onh^ profitable in itself but is
giving him experience and an acquaintance which will avail him much in
the future.

;Mr. Drum was born at Curryville in Wells County March 27, 1895.
He is a sou of P. H. and Flora (Brentlinger) Drum. His paternal grand-
parents were John P. and Frances (Hartman) Drum, from Perry
County, Ohio, and were among the pioneei-s of Curryville, where the
grandfather located on eighty acres of wild land and in course of time
had it cleared up and improved as a good farm. He died in 1893.

P. H. Dram was born July 24, 1865, in Wells County. His wife
was born December 24, 1870, in Ohio, and was brought to Indiana at the
age of eleven years by her parents. P. H. Drum and wife had five chil-
dren, Dorphis L., Efiie, Noble, Opal and Edna.

Jajies D. Babcock. The desirable awards attainable by a life of
industry and continued effort are illustrated in the career of James D.
Babcock, now one of the well-to-do agriculturists of Nottingham Town-
ship. Wells County. Few men have beeu in greater degree the archi-
tects of their own fortunes. His life was commenced under eircuiu-
stances of poverty and he was forced to become a wage earner at a time
when he should have been attaining an education and enjoying the
pastimes of youth, yet in spite of these handicaps he has made a position
for himself among the men of means of his locality, and at the same
time has held his fellow-citizens' respect and confidence.

James D. Babcock was born at Delphi. Carroll County, Indiana,
April 24, 184S, and is a son of Doctor Peleg and Malinda (iMcCart)
Babcock, who came to Indiana after their marriage and first settled near
Battle Ground, in Tippecanoe County, subsequently removing to Delphi.
Dr. Peleg Babr-ock, wlio was a native of New York, was a graduate in
medicine and followed his profession in Indiana in the countrA- districts.
No doubt his practice was not large and what there was profited him
little, for the early settlers were not as a rule well supplied with money
and the pioneer physician's work was largely a labor of love. At any
rate, in spite of his professional and agi'icultural work. Doctor Babcock
died a poor man, and when James D. Babcock was eight years of age he
was forced to start to make his own way in the world. Thus it was that
his education was neglected, his attendance at school consisting of one
term after he was eighteen years old. However, after his marriage, he
learned much from his wife, and by reading, experience and observa-
tion has become a well-informed man on manv sub.iects. During the
Civil war Mr. Babcock went to St. Joseph, ^Missouri, but subsequently
returned to Indiana, where he was married to Viola Cox on December 6,
1871. At that time he .started life as a farmer, and the years that fol-
lowed were full of unceasing labor and hard work. As he was comjielled
to start without capital of any kind save his ambition and willingness to
work, he became a renter of land, and it was not until he was forty-five

ADAMS A.\i) WKLLs corxTi i:s r,l.j

v:'ars ..r auv tluit lir v>as i<h]r to nrromr a land nwiir,-, ]!,. then liou-lit
iaiul ill .lasprr ('(Miiitv, solil it and |uir:-hascd anollici' tfact n1' '-'DT ari-<.s.
ami then .■anic In K'nck Cvork Townsliip. Wrils Cnnntv. and Imn-lit l^'JIl

arvt's whirl, lie s(.l,l in TIIO. lie mllivatrd this land nnlil ,• nnj- 1..

Xnttin-liam T(.wnslii|., wUvir lir l„,uulil 1^7:. anvs- whirl, rn,,.,str,l ..f

thrrr faiaiis uilh thl srls .d' lailldinus. This is ..l,r nf thr hl,rl v-rnlt i-

vatcd |)fo|,.Mlirs(d' Ihr t,iwi,s]dp. and ra!, Imast of a - 1 s.^t nf IniildinLls,

raiTvin- un nvnrfa] fannin-, lie ru<s:\<xvs iii the stnrk hiisinrss. Inivii,-
rattle and hn-s hy tin- rarh.ad lot, and then feedinu and sliipiiinu. [n
hiisinrss eirch-s he has an excrllnit ivpiitatioii as a man of inti-ril \-, and
!is a riti/cn hr has hreii a I'artof in the advam-emmt of his rnm,,,,init w
While residimr in dasprr ('..iintv, Indiana, he tilled the oftir.- (,f tiaist-'v
of Marion Tnwnship very aereptahly. Politirally .Ah'. I'.ahrnrk is a re-
pnhliean.

]-!v his lirst wife, who died Xnvemhrr 20, ISfi:!, Mr. I'.ahrork bceaine
the father of thrse children: Kraid^. i.f Xultinuham Township: Elinor,
ill Hammond; Thomas; H.imer: (ie,,r-e, win. ,lied .Iiin<> H, 1:I17- .Marv,
wife of Ilarley Lamson ; IJiihy, the wife id' Knlierl (Irahaiii: Klizahel 1,,
the wife of Ko'e Yeoman ; ami Anna M.. the wife nf San, Srnti, nf J;,sper
reiintv, Indiana. Air. i;ahr.,rk has sixtren erandrhihlreii. M:,rrh l.".,
lim. he was united in n,:,rriaue with .Miss K.ini.v Adamsnn. She is a
iiemher of the l'rvsl,vteri;ii, Chuivh.

h,' 1

InfTtnn K!

n he t.Nik

lip eirrinr'

an.l

iwlr

Ire of tie

profession

iioth

CfRTIS AV. f'l. MfK, sil[ieril,tende

W;,ter AVorks of I'diUtton. When a

frem its teehnieal and pra.-l'ieal standpoint. He has h,i,e 'heei, rnnneeted
with the oper:itioii of elertrieal industries in Imliana, hutli .•,s ;i .•mi-
striiption and operating ofliri:,!.

:\Ir. Clark was horn in (odlia r'onniv, (^hio. Oetdlier -ith 1S7S. ;i s.ui
of Samuel V. and Mliziilielh (IVKdiev) Clark. His father w;,s a farmer
in Smithern Ohio, ;i,,d nn Ihe <.ld Immestead Curtis W. Chirk spent his
earlv vears and ar,p,ired his cliieation in the eniiiitrv s,.l,,„,ls. His
eirlv edncathin w;is limitr,] to attei,da:ire dnrini: winter ten,,., uhile in
the'stimmer he assisied his lalher. The summer hefnre and tifter l,e
was twe),tv-one \-r;ii-s <if a-<' he was r,,,pl,,\-ed ;is ;i lineman on 1hr WelN-
t.m & .T.ir'kson llelt TJ:! il r.-iid. iMr, Cl.irk tonk ni. th.' teehnirai -nid\ of

e'ertririlv with Hie 1 1, t ern a I ioiial Cerr.'
I'ennsvlvaiiia, and uradiiated in his r, iir
prnlieienev in lilOl. He has alwavs heeii
sesses mnrh n;!tnr;d ahilitw and has tw.,
After Iravini;- thr Trdt K.-iilwav Mr. (
f'liapm;in T'o.-d C,e,,p;iny as eleetriri.an Iw

.1 o\' Se

■!l,d reee
lerested
thers wlr

eie, Hartford f'itv & Fort AVavne Traetion Coinp:,nv four ve;irs.

His liome has ).een at l^d,irftnn sinre Jnlv, HlOfi. IL. was .nperii,
tendent and elretriral etiidneer with the M. I!. & K. Traetimi CM;,ip:,iu
until .Tannarv 1, 1014. ami then enler.>d the serviee nf the eitv as snper
inten.lent ef the F.leefrir Fiu-ltt & AV.ater Cn,iip;,nv. I/.rL'elv to .Mr
Clark is due the eredit for l-rineaiie' this phiiit tn a state of hiudi effi-
eieiiey, and he has entire eharue of ;ill oper,-,tin<: det:iils. There is ;
HioronLdi sN'stem of aeeoiintin^' h\- whieh it is nnssihle tn know a1 ;in\
time whether the system is (>arnim: or lesi.,- inonev, and .Mr. Chirk ha-
demon.strated his value t,. the eitv in manv wavs.

In AiiL'iist. inm, he married Miss I'.essi,. Smith, of Callipolis, Ohio
Airs. Clark was wed iwliiralrd in thr pilhlir sehools ,,f Ohin. Thev liav,
three rhildreii; Willard, hern J;iniiarv II). FKI.'); .Marv, horn in -lann.

Gi(;

ADA.AIS A.\|) WI'IJJ.S ('ui'.\'rii-;s

;in-, i:i()S; ;m,l KoIhtI. !,.,,■, , I ),■,■,', n'l.T 1^4, lOU;. Tlir two m1,1,t clul.livn
aiv holh in Ihr piililic s,-Ihm,1s oi' 1 '.||iirt"ii. Mrx. ('hii'k is .■in ;|.'tiv iiicni-
I..T (,r t!ir Mrth.MlisI J':|,i.r,,|.;il Clnilvli. Km tri'nall V lir is i, Irnl ilicl
uilh Kl.minn Ln.l-r Xn. !)L' of llic I\iii-li1s (,f I'vtliias, and in polilifs
;s a ,l,nin,n-al, tlinil-li ni.nviv as a vntrl', havni- .irv-r ha.i line tn -.nr-
tir,|,a1r ,n ;,arlisan allaiiN.

I.nris; (;. l.AXCAsi-Ki:. All lln'ouu'li Wells Cnuntv tli.nv aiv cvKlm.-i.s
that am-irnllniv has hern hivn-ht lu a hi-h statr a'n.l in CIk'M.t 'I'.nvn-
.s-hij, 11, partK-ular, aiv fnuii.l as v.rll ,h'vrh,|UMl [arms as anv in ihis jiart
of In, liana. This iiulical.-^ that ihriv .-Mv p,'arji,.al uiul iinhist ri„ns

farmers hmv and a li xamph^ is loiiiid in Lmiis (i. Laiirastei'. ■,v!in is

a memlicr nf an nlil Well. Ciaintv faiuih-.

Lniiis (1. Lan.-asi.T was horn' in Chest. -r Townsliip, Wells Conntv,
Oelnher l^S, l,Mi:l, and is ;i son .d' .Nathan and Marv (Starri I.aneaste'r.
The father was horn in \'an Hui-en Townshi|). (iraiit Conntv, Indiana,
Oete.hcr l^.'i, l.SMd, and the molher in Wh'Us Cni;n!\\ Indi.ana,
fehniai'v .1, IS:;7. Thev were niari'ied in Deeemher. ISIi'J.'aml tlie fol-
hnvin- ehildren were Imumi to them: Lewis C.. Ilai'vev 1'.., d^-nnie L.,
wife ,)f Cenrue A. .Masnn. John l^:., .Matilda Iv and an infant, all
deceased, and Orlrv L. -jd,,. I.aneasi,n-s have hmn- 1„mmi prosperons and
import.ant proplr in (TieMrr Township and owner- nf laruv ti-aet- of
v.ilnahle land. Tliev aiv memhers of the Scnetv nf friends.

Lewis (L Laneaster ohtained his edneaLon in the pnl.li- sehunls, and
later put this traininn- to praetieal aeennnt in the .-dnranonal held. 11. •
was eiu'hteen \-e.ars nld wiieii he taniiht his lirst term ,,[' srhoel loid , ■on-
tinned to tea:di for eiuht \-ears. lindin- the w.jrk .■oiojenial and perforin-
inu- his dnties so W(dl thai seeniinulv liis life work lav in Ih.at dir-rt ion.
Mr. Laneaster, however, deeid.'d to' lieeome a faianrr and for one vear
followin- his marriau'e resiiled on and ,,p<'''ated the old Laiira-t-r home
place. Tie nrnved then to .Al,,nl pelier and eontinie'd in luisii.e.s tIeTe
until fad of L<,s!) when he moved on the faian that he has devidi^ped into
a vahialile pi'operl\-. Air. Laia-asler is an eiiteT'prisine' and weM infoioe.iMi
ati'rienltnrisl and i'n earrvin- on his farm industi'ies reeo-ni/es th- v.dne
of (irs! (d.iss f.arm nmehiierv and the a.hiption of pro-ressivr snentiiie
methods.

Air. Laneaster was married Jnlv :'.. l.«;^7. to Sarah S Williams, wlio
is a daunhi.M' ef Andrew and ^larv (P.nshi Williams, mdives ,d' 'Mde
who were earlv seillers in Ldaekfn'rd Conntv, In, liana. Air. and Airs.
Lameisiei' hav,' had four ehihlivn : Alarv I'earl. an, I Craee, and two who
died in iiifan,'v.

Well known all over tl .nntv. Air. Laia'a-t.^r lia.l taimihl,' pi'oof ,d'

th,' liieh est,., mi in whieh he is l:el,l „n his p,-rs ,n.-d re,-,,rd, v h,ai his

in Hie' .State'.Ns.emhlv, and in th,> primari.'s he I'aii far aln-a,) of his

1-artv w.te. In hw-al' matt ers he has a'wavs I n aetiv,- in proniolinn:

e,!n.-;!lional proutvss and in liriiiLdn- ahmil .■omlitions of moralitv ami
iml.Jhnrlv p-a.-e a'ol ferhearane,.. imlne-d tlenvLv somewhat. pm-l,aiis,
hv II, e rei;oi,,ns raith he pr,.f,'sses. for !„■ is a sincn- meniher <d" Hie

AfSTlN- Omvki! has luMoi a praidi.'.al r.ailmad man lor nearlv a rpiar-
ter of a eentnrv. and as fiviu'lit and thdc^t a-.oit nf iW Lake Krie &
Western al LliilVNin has di-idiarevd liis diili,-s with ,M,iiipl,'te sat isfaei imi
not milv to th,' railway enM,M;,nv hut lo all (dti./eiis who have diMlinL's
Ihrenvdi him with tlie raih'n d.

.Mr. Oliv.M' was ),orn in llartfenl Ciiv, Indiana. Jnlv 'J^. 1^74. n
s,.n (d' Jeremiah and Alarv A. iAlillsi Oliver. T.otli parents were hnm

618 ADAMS AND WKLLS COliXTIKS

tilliiiu- nuiiicrmis cinif i-a.-ts. ('uinin.j,- '■'> Wrlls Countv, Indiana, in ISliU.
lie liiratc.l ill i',liirrt(,n. wIhmv as a comra.'tnr he orrctfd varmus la.-v
l,ni!.liii-s. iiirlialiii- 111.' Car.ln.T, Oudrii an.! (1,1, 1 Krilows Llnrk--: 111,.

liiiss ll,,trl: the ArnnM lU.M-k; tlir I'.aptist and M.M li.Mlisf j-lin-, il

Clmivli rditi.'cs; tlu. Ciirry and Doaiii rcsi.lmres, and luaiiy olh-r liUild-
ings of note. Snbsequenll y m addiliun ti' his work as a eimtraelor, lie
establislied a grocery in the west end of the city, and meeting witii gnud
results in its iiianascment afterwards transferred his stock to the "green
front" store, at the corner of Washington and .Main str,'ets, ^vhen' lu'
built np a tbriving trade. Retiring from business, he moved to .Muncie,
Indiana, and was there a resilient nntil his death, July 17, ls:i7. lie
was a member of Blufl:'ton Lodge No. 14"), Ancient Free and Accepted
Order of ilasons.

The maiden name of the wife of iNlilton T. Ilartle was Cyrdlna Tiillis.
She was born in Darke County Ohio, and there lived until after her
marriage. She survived lier Imsband, dying, September 22. i:i()4, in
Muneie, Indiana, aged sixty-three years. Eight children were born of
their marriage, as follows: John K., of this sketch; Anna-. Jennie li.,
deceased; Lizzie; Grant; Elmore, deceased; Calvin; and Nona.

Brought up and educated in Bliili'ton, John F. Ilartle left .school when
jonng to work in his father's grocery, and when familiar with the Imsi-
ness was admitted to partnership, continuing for seven years as .iunior
member of the firm of IM. T. Ilartle ,.t Son. Selling out his inten^sts,
Mr. Ilartle was for ten years salesman for George F. ]\IcFarren. Coing
to Andrews, Indiana, Mi-. Ilarile purcliased a stock of clothing, and was
there engaged in business for about seven months. Disposing of that
stock, he embarked in the shoe business with George 1). Snyder, with
whom he was associated for two years under the firm name of Snyder
& Ilartle. Dividing the stock, Mr. Ilartle sold his shai'c to (h^orge 11.
Amram, and then went to Plymouth, Indiana, where he bought out a
general stock of dry goods and shoes. Closing out all of the dry eoo.ls.
he converted the business into an exclusive shoe store, which lie man-
aged successfully for ten ycai-s.

Selling out his shoe store. .Mr. Ilartle imrchased a 5 and 10 ci'iit
store at Owosso, ilichigan, ami eomlucted it for three years, returning
then to Blutfton, Indiana.

Mr. Ilartle married, Nov, niber 2.'), iss:!. Emma Kratnei', a native of
Fort Wavne. Indiana. -Air. ami .Mrs. Ilartle an' m.mibers of the !;ai.tist
Church. Boliticallv ilr. Ilartle is a ivpulilican. Fraternallv he belones
to BInirton Lodge No. 14.\ Ancient Free and Aecepted Order of .Masons:
to Blnllton Chapter No. llo, Koyal Aivh .Masons; to JSluffton (■oiincll No.
63, Roval and Select Masters; to l-Slutfton Connnandery No. oS, Knights
Templar; and to Bluft'ton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias. Both .Mr.
and Mrs. Ilartle are active members of the Order of the Eastern Star.

J(Uix P. II.MiVKY. One i<\- the old and prominent families of Lan-
caster Township, Wells County, bears the name of Harvey and a worthy
representative of lh.. sami' is found in John P. Harvey, who is the owium-
of the old honi. 'Stead of 1(12 acres which !, as been in the family sine.. 1S:;1,
one of the tincst estaP's in this s.'..ii..n ..f the .■oiinly.

Jolin R. Harvey was horn on his pivs.'nt farm in IStlT. an.l is th.-
second voungest of five sons born t.. his parents who wer.' Ja.'ob U. and
Elizabeth (:Mnicr) Harvey, ilis father was als.. born in Indiana and
through purchase from the otlici- heirs, a.-.piircil th.' old Ilarv.'y home-
stead, on which ho spent seventy-two years, his death occnrniig here
.\pril 22, 1906. He was one of th,' t.iwnsliip's most r.'sp,.,'l,'d citi/,'ns.
In 1.^.'.4 he was married to Fli/.abeth .Mill.T, wim ,li,',l N,,v,.mb..i. 10.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 619

1898. Her parents were pioneer settlers on the Wabash near the old
Town of Murray, and she was the first white child horn in the county.
Their childi'en were: Henry McClelland, William S., Jacob E., John
R. and Charles E.

Jolni R. Harvey remained at lionie and assisted his father and ob-
tained his education in the country and the Bhitfton schools. At tlie
death of his fatlier he inherited the dhl li(iiiicsti':i(l :iiid ni-izcs very
highly the old parchment certificate isMird his tjiMinlfiifluT liy the i;iiv-
ernment, which is numbered 951 and is dated Scpifiiilicr 2. I.SMI. and
signed by Andrew Jackson, President of the United States. This is one
of the family's most carefully preserved archives. Since coming into
jiossession of the old farm ilr. IL'i-wy has made improvements as he
has found desirable and is credited with l)eing one of the best farmers
in Lancaster Township. He devutcs cnnsiderable attention to breeding
Shorthorn cattle and has been very siiciessful in this industry.

]Mr. Harvey was married March IS, 1^89, to Miss Catherine Eversole,
who is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Miller) Eversole, who had other
children, as follows: William II., who married Lucinda Freds; Ellen,
married C. B. I-Jnlucr. and lioth ar- deceased; Jacob M. ; Charles T., who
married Anna .Myers; Chireiti', wIid is the wife of Dr. T. C. Robinson;
Wilson S., who man'ied .Maggie .Motz; Louise J., who is the wife of W-
E. Stafford; Franklin P.; Jefferson; and Laura, who is deceased. Mr.
and Mrs Harvey have two children, a daughter and a son : Minnie, who
is seventeen years old and a student in the high school at Bluffton ; and
Henry, who is eleven years old, is yet in the grade schools. !Mr. Harvey
and family attend the Christian Church at ilurray and are well known
there. In politics he votes with the republican party. He is a member
of the Loyal (;)rder of IMoose and attends the lodge of the same at Bluffton.

Herman F. Lesh. At this juncture in a volume devoted to the
careers of representative citizens of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana,
it is a pleasure to insert a brief history of Herman F. Lesh, who is loyal
and public-spirited in civic life and who is possessed of initiative and a
knack for hard work in any line of enterprise to which he applies him-
self. During tlie greater part of his active career thus far he has been
engaged in teaching school, but since 1915 he has been tlie efficient in-
cumbent of the office of clerk in the Wells Circuit Court.

Mr. Lesh was born on his father's farm, half a mile south of Rock
Creek Center, in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indiana, ilay
29, 1878. He is a son of Isaac and Samantha (Cover) Lesh, the former
of whom died in September, 1914, and the latter of whom is still living,
her home being on the old farm in Rock Creek Township. Isaac Lesh
was born in Center County, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1832, and Mrs.
Lesh is a native of Berks Comity, Pennsylvania, where her birth oc-
curred on the 16th of March, 1839.' They came to Wells County, Indiana,
on horseback in the year 1848 and were married at Bluffton December
24, 1857. They immediately located on the farm on which ]\lrs. Lesh
still lives and the same originally comprised forty acres and bdei' fifty-
six acres. Mr. and Mrs. Le.sh were members of the German Reformed
Church, St. Pauls, Rock Creek Township. He was a quiet, unassum-
ing man, a good provider for his family, and charitable to those in need.
Concerning the eight children born to Mr. and ^Irs. Lesh tTie following
brief data are here incorporated : Lucy A. is deceased ; Wilson C. is a
progressive fa''iner in Rock Creek Township : Harry P. is a contractor
in Bluffton; Clara A. is the wife of Amos J. Gearhart, of St. IMary's,
Ohio ; William L. resides in Uniondalc, Indiana ; Harriet S. is the wife

620 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

of S. J. Hantz, of Rock Creek Township ; Herman F. ; and Milo J., who
is a farmer in Harrison Township, Wells Count.y.

Herman F. Lesh was reared to maturity under the invigorating dis-
fipliiie of the old homestead farm. After completing the curriculum of
the neighboring district schools, he was matriculated as a student in the
Central Normal School, at Danville, Indiana, and he began his career
as a teacher in the winter of 1898-99. He continued in pedagogical work
until 1915. For six terms he taught in Rock Creek Township, for three
terms in Harrison Township, one year in the department school at
Blutfton and two years in the Poneto School. His work as an educator
was thorough and exact and was ever characterized by a conscientious
devotion to duty. In 1915, when ilr. Lesh was elected clerk of the Wells
Circuit Court, he gave up teaching and he is now devoting all his
time and energy- to the various responsibilities connected with that im-
portant office. He is the owner of a finely improved farm of forty-three
acres four miles south of Bluffton, on the Pcnville Pike.

June 15, 1905, :Mr. Lesh married :\Iiss Eva M. ISleFee, a daughter of
Samuel and ]\Iary A. McFee, of Blutfton. Mr. and Mrs. Lesh have two
children : Mary Jane, born May 20, 1913 : and Francis, born January 9,
1916. They are members of the ilethodist Episcopal Church and in a
fraternal way Mr. Lesh is a valued and appreciative member of Blutfton
Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; and Bluffton Lodge
No. 92, Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Le.sh is a member of the Rebekahs, in
which she is past noble grand. In politics ilr. Lesh is a stalwart
democrat.

Benjamin J. King. Representing one of the first families established
in the wilderness of Liberty Township of Wells County, Benjamin J.
King was himself born here in a time only partially removed from the
pioneer era, and has emplo.ved the greater part of his three score and
ten years with the occupations and interests of a farmer in his native
township.

He is a son of the late 6. H. King, who deserves more than passing
mention in the record of Wells County because of his varied activities
and his early settlement. Gabriel H. King was born in an interesting
and richly historic section of North Carolina, Stokes County, May 3,
1822, son of Johnson and Miirgari't f Stanley) King. About 1S30 when
he was eight years of age his parents came westward and established
homes in Delaware County, Indiana, securing land from the govern-
ment. But the parents did not survive their removal to the West, and in
the following year l)oth of them died within a month. They left six
children, Gabriel being the youngest.

In the fall of 1837, when he was fifteen years old, Gabriel King and
his older lirothcr Johnson came to Wells Countv, where Johnson King
entered eight.v acres of land in sections 21 and 22 of Liberty Township.
The Kings were the first family in the township, and theirs was the
third cabin erected west of Liberty Center. At first they had no habita-
tion at all and their goods were unloaded from their wagons under an
oak tree. Johnson King died in Wells County in 1843. Gabriel II.
King on reaching manhood bought eighty acres of heavily timbered land
in section 27 of Tjiberty Town-ship. and he was industriously enaraged in
its clearing and cultivation until 1857. In that year he sold his farm
and bought eighty acres of improved land in the same township, on
which he conducted farming until 1865. That year on selling his farm
he bought a tract of land upon which he erected a sawmill, and there-
after made both farming and lumbering his .ioint occupation until 1879.
Gabriel H. King removed to Liberty Center in 1879, conducted a store

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 621

for a time, but iu 1882 turned this business over to his youngest son
and then erected the first flouring mill at Liberty Center. The mill
was improved with a complete roller process in 1887, and for over
thirty j^ears its wheels have turned and it has produced a large share of
the high grade products used for bread and feed in this part of the
county. The mill is still in operation.

While busied with many private affairs, Gabriel King always re-
sponded to the cause for helpfulness in the community. He was prom-
inent as a leader in the local democratic party and filled the office of
township clerk seven ycai's. matzisti-atc I'mir years, county commissioiier
thi'ee years, townshii) tiusicc iwchc yi'ai's, licsides other local offices. He
was county commissioiici' t>\' Wells (■(iiiiily when the Court House was
erected. He was a de\(iiit incnilici' of the Cliristiau I'hurch.

On February 25, ls)l, (lalirid II. Kin- niariafd Miss Susan Menden-
hall, daughter of Benjamin and .Marucry AlciKlriihall. She was born in
Miami County, Ohio, and came to Wells County in 1839. Mr. and Mrs.
King had twelve children, five of whom are still living, Benjamin J.,
Willard B., John H., Henry A. and Emily, wife of Adam Foust.

Benjamin J. King was "born Augu.=^t 27, 1848, grew up on his father's
farm in Liberty Township, and since leaving the local public schools has
been industriously engaged with farming and also with milling. He still
owns a good farm of eighty acres and has one of the good homes in that
locality.

December 24, 1868. Mr. King married Jane ilcNatt. who was l)orn
in Guernsey County. Ohio, and came to Wells County in the fall of 1863.
Of their five children three are still living : Anna, wife of Arthur
Thomas; William, who married Rosa Brickcr; and Ethel, wife of Albert
Sills. The King family an' members of tlii' Baptist Church at Liberty
Center and in politics .Mr. King votes as a democrat.

A. P. Addington has been a resident of Wells County thirty-one
years and has attained success completely through his individual ability
and sturdy enterprise. Mr. Addington has a fine farm and is known
all over Wells County for his work as a road builder and contractor. His
farm is 21/2 miles southwest of Bluffton.

Mr. Addington was born in Scott County, Virginia, September 7,
1857, a son of Henry E. and Elizabeth W. (Gulley) Addington. His
parents were born, reared and married in Scott County and spent their
lives there. The father died a number of years ago and the mother is
still living. A. P. Addington grew up on a farm, attended the common
schools of Virginia and at the age of twenty-one started out for himself
to make a living as a farmer. On November 18, 1879, he married Miss
Sarah E. Derting, who was born in the same county and state.

In 1886, still poor in purse, but with great anticipation for the future
Mr. and Mrs. Addington came to Wells County, Indiana, and estalilished
their home a mile and a half west of where they now live m Liberty
Township. Mr. Addington acquired 160 acres there, and continued to
progress and prosper as a farmer on that place for sixteen years. In
1894 he bought his present farm oE 120 acres in Harrison Townshij). Mr.
and Jlrs. Addington have seven children; Perry, Carson Nannie, Eliza-
beth, Homer. Belle and Dennis.

A numlier of years ago Mr. Addington acquired his first experience
in building streets and gravel roads and his business in that connection
Ims mounted steadily in importance and size of contracts. He built the
improved highways of Spring and Wayne streets in Bluffton, and alto-
gether has laid and constructed about forty miles of gravel roads in
Wells County and adjoining counties. Mr. Addington is also one of the

622 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

stockholders of the Fai'iners Co-operative Elevator of Poneto, the man-
ager of which is William Smith. Mr. Adclington is an active democrat
and has been prominent in local affairs in his town.ship and county. He
19 affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Accepted
JMasons, Bluifton Chapter No. 95, Royal Arch [Masons, and is also a mem-
ber of Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of
Blnffton.

Perky E. Gilbert. Lfiiiondale is one of the young towns of the state
of Indiana that has made progress within the last decade, and largely
contributory to this has been the substantial interest shown by one of
her prominent and representative men, Perry E. Gilbert, ilr. Gilbert's
projDerty investments are extensive in Wells County and important at
Uniondale, where his official connection with some of the leading enter-
prises add greatly to their strength and to the standing of Uniondale as
a business center.

Perry E. Gilbert was born in Rock Creek Township, Wells County,
Indiana, March 3, 1860, and is a son of ]Martin and Lydia (Houtz) Gil-
bert. His father was born in Ohio December 27, 1818, and died in Wells
County, Indiana, June 26, 1883. His mother was born in Pennsylvania
August 30, 1824, and died in Indiana, Januars' 29, 1911. They were the
parents of fourteen children and the family record is as follows:
Emanuel B., born November 21. 1841, died December 25, 1902 : Amanda
J., born August 27, 1843; Christina, born July 11, 1845; Philip, born
Februarv 11, 1847, died September 26, 1916: Adeline, born November
15, 1849, died September 30, 1917; William, born Julv 6, 1851, died
November 30, 1880; Elizabeth, born October 6, 1853, died March 4, 1917;
Sarah, born September 26, 1855; Isaiah, born November 24, 1857, died
March 26. 1905; Perry E. ; Eliza E., liorn September 1, 1862; Louisa, born
August 15, 1865; Martin, born August 27, 1869; and Lewis Erwin, born
December 14, 1872, died December 25, 1888. The parents of the above
family established their home in Rock Creek Township, Wells County,
at a time when pioneer conditions prevailed. They endured the usual
hardships incident to that period but survived them and lived to enjoy
ease and comfort in their later years. They reared their large family
carefully and through precept and example taught them the value of
industry and thrift and brought them under the influence of the teach-
ings of the Lutheran Church. They were people widely known and
universally respected.

Perry E. Gilbert had the educational advantages provided by the
district schools and gave his father assistance on the home farm of 120
acres until he reached manhood. In 1885 he settled on a farm of fifty
acres and in 1889 purchased 104 acres, in 1895 adding an additional
eighty acres and in 1911 bought sixty acres more and at present owns
294 acres in Wells County. He is one of the prosperous farmers and
in addition does a very large business in the purchase and sale of stock,
in which he has been extensively engaged for the past fifteen years.

On October 10, 1915, Mr. Gilbert came to LTniondale and has resided
here ever since. In 1916 he erected the fine brick building on ]Main
Street, which is known as the Gilbert Block, a business structure that
would be creditable in a much larger place, and this is but one of the
evidences of his business enterprise. This block at present is occupied
by the Uniondale Harness Company and by a confection eiy and a
grocery store and the Ray L. Tutt store. Such property as this is not
very likely to lack good tenants. Jlr. Gilbert is vice president of the
T'niondale State Bank and is also on the directing board of the Uniondale
Lumber Company.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES G2:^

ilr. Gilbert was married January 25, 1885, to Miss Ellen Valentine,
who is a daughtei- of John and Mary Valentine, well known people in
Wells County wiiose other children were : George, who is deceased ;
Emma, who is the wife of George JIasterson; and Elizabeth, who is the
wife of John Miller, of Wells County. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have four
children, namely: Harry H., who lives in Rock Creek Township, mar-
ried Gertrude Schoonover ; Ella G., who is the wife of Dwight Lesh, of
Rock Creek Township ; Howard D., who is a farmer in Rock Creek Town-
ship, married Masyl Houtz ; and Herman L., who resides at home.

Mr. Gilbert is a prominent factor in democratic circles in Wells
County, and at times he has served in r<?sponsible official ciiini.-iti: s. He
was on the Board of County Commissioners of Wells County from I'JOT
until 1913, during wliicli ]-ierind some very weighty measures of public
importance came before tin' boai-d and were efficiently and economically
settlecr; Mr. Gilbert rnuhTiiiu- ;a()od service because "of his honest con-
victions and practical ideas. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran
Church.

WiLLi.vM H. Weinl.vnd. The Weinland family has been a prominent
one in Wells County over thirty-five years, and it was here that William
H. Weinland grew to manhood and since then has gained a place among
the substantial farmers of Liberty Township. His home and farm are
on the Salamoiiie Pike 5V_: miles south of Bluffton.

Mr. Weinland was born in ;\[ontgomery County, Ohio, three miles
southeast of Dayton, on June 2, 1873. His parents were John and
Margaret A. (Dougherty) Weinland. Of their children five are still
living. William H. Weinland was about seven years of age when his
parents moved to Wells County, Indiana, and here he attended the dis-
trict schools of Liberty Township. As a youth he worked hard to get a
start in life, and has succeeded in acquiring a good farm of eighty acres
in section 36 of Liberty Township and in addition to its profitable man-
agement is one of the stockholders of the Bank of Poneto. He and his
family are also prominent members of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church
of that village and he is one of its official board. Politically Mr. Wein-
land is a republican and is affiliated with Bluffton Lodge No. 145,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

On May 22, 1895, he married IMiss Winona Gavin. ]\Irs. Weinland
is a native of Wells County and of a very old and prominent family here.
They have four children : lantha, who is a graduate of the common
schools and is now in the sophomore class of the Bluffton High School,
and Robert, Kenneth and Grace.

Mrs. Weinland is a daughter of Robert F, and ]\Iartha (McFarren)
Gavin. Robert F. Gavin was born in the City of Galway, Ireland, De-
cember 11, 1838, a son of George and Mai'j' (Benton) Gavin, the former
of Kings County and the latter of Queens County, Ireland, in the Prov-
ince of Leinster. George Gavin was a son of James and !\Iary (Benton)
Gavin. Mary Benton's father was Henry Benton, for many years con-
nected with the Customs Department in Ireland. George Gavin and
Mai-v' Benton married February 23, 1838, in the Cathedral of the City
of Galway. For the next ten years he was connected with th*^ Royal Irish
Constabulary, but in 1848 the family came to the rnited States, landing
in New York City, and a short time later going to Ross County, Ohio.
Here George Gavin engaged in farming until 1854, when he removed to
Wells County. Indiana, and lived on a rented farm until 1857. when he
came to Liberty Township and bought eighty acres in the midst of the
heavy woods. He had only tive or six hundred dollars when he arrived
in this county, but in later years came to be regarded as one of the most

624 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

substantial and prosperous farmers of Liberty Township, with a fine
plaee of 210 acres. He died December 11, 1882. George and Mary Gavin
had seven children : Robert F., Mary A., Sarah, who married Harrison
Snow, Henrietta, James B., Henry J. and Elizabeth.

Robert F. Gavin, father of 3Irs. Weinland, early showed an ambition
to secure an education, and in 1859 was successfully qualitied to teach
school. He continued as a teacher until 1871, and afterwards engaged in
farming and other lines of business which made him one of the well
known men of Wells County. ^larch 4, 1866, he married Martha ilcFar-
ren, daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Foust) McFarren, the former a
native of Pennsylvania. Jacob ^IcFarren and wife were married ilarch
4, 1841. The following children were born to Robert F. Gavin and
wife : George, deceased ; Rachel A. ; Mary I., deceased ; John F. ;
Winona, wife of William H. Weinland ; Benton W. and Austin S.

Edward L. Huffm.\n is one of the progressive farmers and stock
raisers of W^ells County. A number of years ago he came to his present
farm as a renter, and from the fruits of his industry paid for and is
now proprietor of the Riverside Stock Farm, located five miles east of
Blutfton on Rural Route No. 6. Mr. Huffman owns 208 acres, highl.y
developed and improved, and for a number of years has been using the
land and its resources for breeding and raising high grades of livestock.
He has concentrated his chief effort on hogs, and every year he has about
400 head on his farm, and is one of the leaders of Wells County in the
hog market.

Mr. Huffman was born on a farm in Hartford Township of Adams
County, Indiana, July 3, 1869, a son of John and Mary J. (Runyan)
Huffman. His father was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, and his
mother in Hartford Township of Adams County. John Huffman came
to Adams County when seven years of age, grew up there, acquired a
common school education and for several terms was a teacher, though
his chief vocation throughout life was farming. He and his wife had
five children, and three are still living: lantha, who graduated from
the Linn Grove High School and from the scientific and classical courses
of Valparaiso University and is now the wife of Dr. H. H. Mather of
Chicago ; Nora, a graduate of the Linn Grove High School, took the
scientific course of Valparaiso University, and was formerly active as a
teacher but is now living at the old farm with her mother; and
Edward L.

Edward L. Huffman acquired his early education while a farmer boy
in Hartford Township and is also a graduate of the Linn Grove High
School. He took advanced work in Normal and scientific courses and-
had a very successful career as a teacher. Altogether he put in eleven
years at Linn Grove as teacher and assistant principal in the Linn Grove
High School.

While teaching he was also engaged in farming and has given a close
study to agriculture and stock husbandry for a number of years. In
1901 he removed to Wells County, and became a renter on the farm
which he has owned since 1907. Mr. Huffman married iliss Minnie Studa-
baker, youngest daughter of Mrs. A. T. Studabaker. They have four
children: Waldo, a student in the Bluffton High School; Dale, who is
in the Newville common schools ; Madeline, now six years of age ; and
Max Edward. The family are members of the Six Mile Christian Church,
and Mr. Huffman is church treasurer. He is affiliated with Linn Grove
Lodge No. 683, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past
noble grand, and both he and his wife are active in the Rebekah Lodge
at Linn Grove. Politically he is a democrat and while a worker for the

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 625

party iu earlier years has been content merely to express a preference
through his individual vote.

JoHX M. Miller. One of the old and important families of Wells
County, Indiana, bears the name of ililler. It has always been a more
or less agricultural family and has always been one that has represented
good citizenship, temperance and morality. In the passing away of
John A. ililler, on January 21, 1917, Wells County lost a most worthy
man and the family the last of the old generation. He was the owner
of valuable property, leaving an estate that was valued at $50,000, there
being 320 acres in his farm. This property is now ably managed by
his son, John ;\I. Miller, who is the administrator of the estate.

John M. Miller was born on this farm April 15, 1874. His parents
were John A. and Sarah A. (Martin) ililler. The latter was born in
Adams County, Indiana, and died in AVells County, February 28, 1915.
Her father was Cephas Martin, an early pioneer iu Adams County.
Eight children were born to John A. ancl Sarah A. Miller. Two died
in infancy and these surviving in 1918 are as follows : Benjamin F.,
who is a farmer in Liberty Township; Robert H., who is a resident of
California ; John ;\I. ; Cephas, who is a farmer in Harrison Township ;
Rufus, who is a farmer near Randall, Kansas; and Harry D., who is a
resident of Muncie, Indiana.

John il. ililler has spent his life on the old homestead, whieh is situ-
ated in Harrison Township, three miles south and two and one-half miles
east of Bluffton, Indiana. He obtained his education iu the public
schools, attending the East Smoky Run School for many sessions. Farm-
ing and stock raising have been the industries he has carried on on his
own farm of 160 acres and he is numbered with the first class farmers
of this section of the county. He is also rated as a ke#n and able busi-
ness man and in the work of settling up his father's estate, has shown
ability and discretion.

Mr. ^liller was married September 17, 1911, to ]VIiss Clara Allison,
daughter of ilelvin and Crissa (Manus) Allison. Her father was born
in ^Missouri and her mother in Jay County, Indiana, ilrs. Miller has
two brothers and one sister, namely : William C, who is a resident of
South Pekin, Illinois ; Ezra, who lives at Pennville, Indiana : and Flor-
ence, who is the wife of Arthur ;\Iiller, of Medina County, Oliio. ilr.
and ^Irs. Miller have a nephew, John D. ^Miller, who lives with tliem.
He was born April 10, 1902.

ilr. Miller is a republican in politics and gives hearty support to the
party measures and candidates, but is no seeker of political ofBce f(n-
himself. He belongs to Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias, aiul
both he and wife are members of the Order of Pythian Sisters. For
many years the Miller family has been strong in its support to the
Christian Church and John ]M. ^Miller and wife are active members of
the Six Mile Church in this neighborhood.

Lewis il. Beerbower. One of the enterprising men extensively
engaged in farming in the rich and fertile country of Northeastern Indi-
ana, Lewis il. Beerbovyer, of Liberty Township, Wells Cuniily, has
brought to his calling good business methods and exei'llent ,iudt;-nient.
and his labors are being well rewarded. A son of Closes S. Beerbower.
he was born, September 16, 1859, in Huntington County, Indiana, of
pioneer stock.

Born in Wayne County, Ohio, Moses S. Beerliower came to Hunt-
ington County, Indiana, in early life, and for a time was employed at
the old ileCo'y mill, southeast of Warren. He subsequently purchased

626 ADAMS AND AYELLS COUNTIES

160 acres of land in Whitkn- County, Indiana, and embarked in farm-
ing on his own accouut. In the very last months of the year 1863, he
enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and served therein until the close of the war. Returning to
Whitley County, he sold his farm, and located in lona County, :\Iieh-
igan, where he continued his agricultural labors until his death. He
married Cynthia Hubbard, who was born in Huntington County, Indi-
ana, and died in Adams County, Indiana, near Geneva. They were the
parents of seven children, three of whom died in childhood", and four
are now, in 1917, living, as follows: Theodore A., of Adams County;
Fred G., living near Columbia, ilissouri ; John ]\I., of Huntington
County : and Lewis il.

Brought up on a farm in Whitley County, Lewis il. Beerbower was
educated in the rural schools. As a ycung man, he spent seven years in
Michigan, being variously employed while there. Returning to Indiana,
he engaged in agricultural pursuits, that being in the fall of 1875, and
has since been actively identified with the farming interests of Wells
County. After his marriage, he and his bride began housekeeping on
the farm they now occupy, on the northeast half of the southeast quar-
ter of section 18, Liberty Township.

Mr. Beerbower married, July 21, 1889, Miami Buckner, who was
born on section 18. Liberty Township, a daughter of William N. Buckner.
Her father was born in Bracken County, Kentucky, September 15, 1825,
and died on his farm in Liberty Township, Wells County, October 30,
1902. His wife, whose maiden name was Amelia Yelton, was born in
Pendleton County, Kentucky, April 17, 1831, and died on the home
farm December 20, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Buckner were the parents of
nine children, as follows: John T. ; Charles N., of Liberty Center; Mil-
lie, widow of Joseph Thrailkill, of Liberty Township : Missouri E., liv-
ing on the old farm : ilartha, wife of Byron Preble ; George W. ; Miami
M. ; F. M. ; and B. F. Mrs. Preble, now deceased, was the mother of
five children: Addie, wife of Bazel Gordon; Forest; George; Ardive;
and Garrett, now in France. George W. married Emma Adams, of
Rockville, Indiana, and at his death, in 1912, left two children, Frank
and Jlary.

jMrs. Beerbower received a normal school training, and prior to her
marriage taught school in Rock Creek Township. Five children have
been born to Mr. and l\Irs. Beerbower, namely: Fayetta M., deceased;
Theodore, a graduate of the Liberty Center High School, is now in
Canada • Ora A., whq was graduated from the Liberty Center High
School with the class of 1915, subsequently attended Franklin College two
years; Hale; and Audra A. Politically Mr. Beerbower is a democrat.
Fraterimlly he belongs to Lilierty Center Lodge No. 747, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and to the encampment at Blufi:'ton, Indiana.

W^n.Li.\M Brown. A successful agriculturist of Wells County, Wil-
liam Brown is actively following his chosen vocation in Nottingham
Township, cultivating his land with good results, the rich soil readily
responding to his magic touch, each year yielding satisfactory harvests.
A son of Jacol) B. Brown, he was born, August 20, 1875, in Phoenix,
Wells County, Indiana, where he grew to man's estate.

A native of Randolph County, Indiana, Jacob B. Brown lived there
until after his marriage with Ruth Emery, one of his neighborhood play-
mates and schoolmates. Coming from there to Wells County, he located
near Phoenix, where he is still livins:. an esteemed and respected citizen.
His wife died at a comparatively early age. Of the seven children born

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 627

of their union, four are now living, as follows : Philip, residing in Okla-
homa ; William ; Ella, wife of Bert Randolph ; and Ann.

Obtaining a good common school education, William Brown remained
with his parents until attaining his majority. After his marriage he
lived in his native townsliip nine months, and then worked in the Indi-
ana oil fields for a period of eleven years, spending the first two years
of that time in Peru, and nine years in Blackford County, during the
entire time that he was thus employed being absent from work but three
days, a record of which he may well be proud. Then, wisely investing
his money in land. Mr. Brown purchased seventy acres of land in the
southwest corner of Nottingham Township, and in the improvement of
his present valuable farm has spared neither time nor expense. His
improvements, which are of an excellent character, include among other
things the fine bank barn, 40 l)y 60 feet, with a basement, which ho
erected in 1916. It is of modern construction, and most conveniently
arranged for carrying on general farming and stock raising.

ilr. Brown married Pearl ilarker, and to them seven children have
been Ijorn, two of them having died at infancy. The living are : Harold,
who was graduated from the Petroleum High School at the age of seven-
teen years; Earl; Howard; Clyde- and Joy. In his political affiliations,
I\Ir. Brown is a steadfast democrat.

JfiHX Weixlaxd. Ranking among the prosperous agricultui'ists of
AVells County, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this
volume, John Weinland owns and occupies a well-improved and pro-
ductive farm in Liberty Township, it being located four miles w(>st of
Bluffton. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born, January 9, 1S47, in
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

His father, John Weinland, Sr.. was liorn, reared and married in
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He began life on his own account in
Dauphin County, living there until 1856, when he came as far west as
Clark County, Ohio, wdiere both he and his wife spent the remainder of
their days. A man of much intelligence, he was active in the affairs of
the Reformed jMennonite Church. To him and his wife, whose maiden
name was Elizabeth Farror, eight children were born, three of whom
are now. in 1917, living, as follows: Christian, of Clark County, Ohio;
Jacob, of Canada ; and John.

Ten years of age when his parents moved to Ohio, John Weiidand
completed his early education in the common schools of Clark County.
Choosing farming for his occupation, he made a practical study of the
diflfcrent branches of agriculture, which he subsequently pursued for
awhile in Darke County, Ohio. In 1880 Mr. Weinland came with his
family to Wells Coiinty, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres three miles
west of Poneto in Liberty Township. In 1909 he sold that and moved
to this farm of forty acres and has since been industriously engaged in
his favorite occupation, and as a tiller of the soil has met with excep-
tionallv good results, his annual harvests comparing most favorably
with those of his neighbors.

Mr. Weinland married, in Darke County, Ohio, Margaret A. Dough-
erty, a sister of Hon. Hush Dougherty, their wedding having" been
solemnized February 22, 1870. He continued his residence in that
county for a time, but afterwards migrated to ^lontgomery County,
Ohio, where he continued as a farmer until comina' to Wells County.
Of the eight children born of the union of ilr. and ^Irs. Weinland. three
have passed to the life bevond. one having died in infancy, and five
are now living, namely : William of Liberty Township ; John, Jr., of
Harrison Township; Mary, living with her father; ]\Iyi-tle is the wife

628 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

of Chester Redding of Liberty Township ; and Hugh D. of Dunkirk,
Lidiana. Mrs. Weinland passed to the life beyond January 26, 1911,
at a comparatively early age, her death being a loss not only to her
family, for which she had so faithfully lived and labored, but to a host
of warm friends and acquaintances. Religiously Mr. Weinland is an
influential member of the Reformed Church, which he is serving as an
elder. He is a stanch republican in politics.

Ross De Vore. One of the substantial farmers and highly respected
citizens of Harrison Township, Wells County, Indiana, is Ross De Vore.
who owns one of the large and valuable farms here and is numbered
with the most enterprising agriculturists of this section. Strangers
would consider this farm a fine property but to "Sir. De Yore it is much
moi-e. for it means the result of years of industry and thus is in a posi-
tion to really appreciate its value.

Ross De Vore was born in Hardin County, Ohio, December 12, 1857.
His parents were Lewis and Rachel (]\IcNutt) De Vore, both of whom
were born in Ohio. They were married there and then came to Indi-
ana and settled in Huntington County near Rock Creek Center about
1860. When the Civil war came on Mr. De Vore enlisted and served
as a brave soldier for the Union until its close. He returned then to
his home and both he and wife died in Huntington County. They had
eight children, six of whom are living, as follows : ]\Iattie. who is
the wife of Frank Foster of Warren, Indiana ; Kate, who married Albert
Van Dolsen ; Caroline and Addie, twins, the former of w^hom is the
wife of Charles Siferd, and the latter the wife of Edward De Vore :
George, who is a farmer in Nebraska ; Ross, whose home is in Wells
County; Sarah, who is the second wife of Albert Van Dolsen, his first
wife being Kate, her sister, now deceased ; Lizzie, deceased, was the first
wife of Horace Smith of White County, Indiana.

Ross De Vore was two years old when his parents came from Ohio
to Huntington County and too young to remember his father's long
■absence in the army. He attended the district schools until he was
thirteen and then began to take eare of himself, hiring out to farmers
in the vicinity and giving faithful service, although his wage was
small. He was honest and persevering and early learned to be saving
and received better wages after he came to Wells County and was
emjiloyed by D. D. Studabaker, and worked for him from April 13,
1889, until October 4, 1894, after which he worked entirely for him-
self. His farm of 100 acres is situated two miles south of Blufifton, on
the Newville turnpike road. Mr. De Vore is a general farmer and
devotes his land to grain and also raises good stock. Farming has
been his business his entire life and he thoroughly understands every
phase of it.

On October 4, 1894, ;\Ir. De Vore was married to Miss Sarah Studa-
baker. daughter of David D. Studabaker. She was born- in 1868 near
Bluffton, Iiuliana, and has a wide relationship in the county, her people
being among the leading families of the state. "Sir. and IMrs. De Vore
have two sons, namely : Homer, who completed the public school course
at Bluffton and tlien entered Purdue University ; and Robert, who at-
tends the local school, ilr. De Vore and family are memliers of the
Six-Mile Christian Church, in which he is a deacon and also a mcmlier
of the board of trustees, and ]\Irs. De Vore is an active Sunday school
worker. In politics he is a republican.

Israel T. Allen. One of the early families still represented in
Wells County, Indiana, was that of Allen, and it came from Ohio,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 629

sturdy representatives of the fiue old stock that settled the Northwest
Territory. Travel from one state to another in 1851 was attended with
both hardships and dangers, but the Aliens were prepared for emer-
gencies and endured them as well as did their traveling companions,
who later were their neighbors in Grant County. There Israel T.
Allen, one of Wells County's substantial citizens of the present day,
was born on February 7, 1854. His parents were James il. and Eliza-
beth (JIartin) Allen. They were natives of Clinton County, Ohio, not
far distant from Centerville in ^Montgomery County, and the father was
born February 17, 1822, and the mother was born in 1827.

After their marriage, James M. Allen and wife continued to live
in Clinton County, where he was a farmer, until 1851, when they con-
eluded to seek a new home farther west. They were quiet, worthy, in-
dustrious people, such as are welcome in any neighborhood, and during
their many years of residence in Grant County, near Jliertown. they
became respected and esteemed. The latter part of their lives were
passed near Swa>zee, Indiana, where they died in advanced age.

Israel T. Allen has been more or less connected with farm pursuits
all his life. He early assi.sted his father and attended tlie pulilic schools
during the winter seasons until he was twenty years old. At that time
there were long stretches of timber in this section of tlie state and in
the cutting and hauling of the same many young men found profitable
occupation. Mr. Allen went into the business as did others and ever
since has been to some extent connected with lumber interests and for
some years bought timber tracts. He now devcites himself mainly to
farming, owning a fine property of 117 arrrs, which is situated near the
old Powell Ford, about two miles east of Rhifltmi. on liural ;\lail Route 4.
He has been a very prudent and industrious man all his life and what he
now owns he has earned through his own efiforts.

Mr. Allen has been twice married. His first wife was Delphina J.
Stanton, who was the mother of three daughters, two of whom survive
her in 1917. His second marriage was to Eliza J. ilarkley of ]\Iadison
County, Ohio. In politics Mr. Allen is a sound democrat and a loyal
supporter of the present administration at Washington. He has been
a resident of Wells County for many years, and is well and favorably
known in this and ad.joinins: counties. He has long advocated a system
of good roads and at the present time is one of the superintendents of
the fine gravel roads in AYells County.

DiLMAX MvERS. While Harrison Township. Wells County, is noted
for the fertility of its soil, the success whii-h atti-iuls ili(> laboi's (if s(]me
of the agriculturists here cannot be altoa'cther atrrilmteil to this fart. A
thorough understanding of the principles of farming and the poss s-
sion of the good judgment and the industry to apply them, are, after
all, the biggest factors in making a farmer's life pleasant and profitable.
One of the intelligent and well informed farmers of this section is Dil-
man Mvers. who owns eishty-seven acres of finely cultivated land. It is
favorably situated eight miles east and south of Bluffton, on Rural
Route No. 2.

Oilman Myers was born in Harrison Township. Wells County. In-
diana, September 18. 1871. His parents were Sylvester and Rebecca
(Warner) Myers, both natives of Wells County, the former born in
Harrison and the latter in Nottinaham Township. Both spent their
long and useful lives in their native countv. where the father died
August 2, 1912, and the mother April 2. 1888. They attended relisrious
services at ]\Iyers Chapel, so named after the Mvers family, and were
members of the Methodist Protestant Church. The fither was a demo-

630 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

crat ill liis political opinions. Seven children were born to them and
the following are living: Finley, who is a farmer in Jay County, In-
diana : Oilman ; Frank, wlio is a machinist, operates a sawmill, a thresh-
ing machine and a clover hullcr, owns a farm, and lives at Rifesburg;
iUid Chauncy, who lives at Bluffton.

Dilman ilyers grew to manhood on the home farm in Harrison
Tiiwiisliip and attended the ]\Iyers Chapel school. He remained at home
and assisted his father until he was twenty-eight .years of age, thereby
iiaining experience that has ever since been of value to him. He has
his farm well arranged and gives some attention to stock as well as crops
and carries out his plans in a thorough and practical way. He has made
many excellent improvements and has the satisfaction of knowing that
each vear his land increases in value.

M"r. ilyers was married JMarch 22, 1899, to iliss Effie Jilay Nute, who
was born in Wells County, Indiana, February 24, 1875. Mrs. Mj'ers is
a well educated lady, having qualified as a teacher and for several terms
taught school in this count}'. She is greatly interested in educational
movements and both she and Mr. Myers desire their children to have
every possible educational advantage. Six children have been born to
them, as follows : Raymond S., who was born January 31, 1900, was a
member of the 1918 class in the Blui?ton High School, but now in the
war: Ruby F.. who was born July 24, 1904, is a student in the high
school at Bluffton; and Ralph A., Tamar L., ilary E. and Lorena B.
^Ir. ;\Iyers and family attend the Myers Chapel Church, of which he
is one of the trustees. He takes a deep interest in the Sunday school,
in which he is a teacher and also is assistant superintendent. He was
reared in the democratic political faith but has never taken any active
part in campaigns.

Capt. Willi.vm R. Faelow. A resident of AYells County many
>-ears, a sul)stantial farm proprietor near Poneto in Chester Townsliip,
('ai>t. "William R. Farlow led a company of Union soldiers in the Union
army during the Civil war. and for that reason alone is entitled to the
enviable distinction and esteem in which he has always been held by
all who honor the part played by the soldiers of the '60s and his record
since that war has been equally creditable.

Captain Farlow was born in Ross County. Ohio, ^March 10, 1843, a
son of Benjamin and Sophia (Adams) Farlow. His father was born in
Delaware, came to Ohio with his parents at the age of eight years, and
grew up and marriod in Ross County, where he and his wife spent their
useful years as successful farmers. There were four children in the
family," one of whom died in infancy. The other three are still living:
Captain Farlow: Sarah, widow of Benjamin Hill; and W. T. Farlow
of Bridgeport, Illinois.

Cnptain Farlow grew up in Ross County, attended the district
schools, and in November, 3861. when in his nineteenth year, enlisted
in Company C of the Seventy-third Ohio. He went with the regiment
into the eastern arena of the war, and took part in the .second battle
of Bull Run, where he was wounded and incapacitated for further
active duty. He was given his honorable discharge, but some months
later, having reciiperated, he went to work and recruited a new com-
pany which became Company II of the 149th Ohio Infantry. He was
captain of this company until he was given his f^nal discharge and
mustered out of service.

After the war Captain Farlow returned to Ross County, married
tliere, and in the fall of 1870 came to Indiana and soon afterwards

ADA]\IS AND WELLS COUNTIES 631

located on a farm in Chester Township. He leased a tract of land, cul-
tivated and cleared it up, and at the end of eight years bought the farm
he now owns, comprising 102 acres. Captain Farlow was the father
of nine children, seven of whom reached maturity, and six are still
living. His good wife passed away December 20, 1908. Captain Far-
low is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is
also affiliated with the Lnproved Order of Red ilen. In politics he has
been steadfastly a republican, though the hoEors of politics have never
attracted him to any extent. He is a stockholder in the elevator at
Poneto and is still active in business though several years past the
age of three score and ten.

WiLLiAji J. G.WIN. Active, industrious and thrifty, William J.
Gavin, of Liberty Township, shows much ability in the management of
his agricultural interests, and occupies an assured position among the
prosperous farmers of Wells County. A native of Indiana, he was born
in the township where he now lives, on the old Gavin homestead, his
birth occurring October 22, 1875.

His father, James B. Gavin, a retired farmer, now living in Bluffton,
was born in County Galway, Ireland, and when but two years old, in
1848, was brought by his parents, George and ]Mary (Benton) Gavin,
to America, and after living a few years in Ohio came with the family to
Wells County, Indiana, where he has since lived. ITntil his retirement
from active business he was extensively engaged in general farming
in Liberty Township, where he was a large real estate owner. To him
and his wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Hedges, seven children
were born, five of whom are now, in 1917, living, as follows : Charles
B., of Liberty Township ; William J., of this sketch ; Mary, wife of B. J.
Buckner, of Liberty Township ; Frank, a farmer, living in Bluffton ;
and Theophilus, a graduate of Adrian College, in Adrian, IMichigan,
taught school in Texas and in Kansas, and is now a resident of Liberty
Township.

Acquiring his early education in the district schools, William J.
Gavin remained at home until attaining his majority. After his mar-
riage he settled with his bride on the farm he now owns and occupies,
and for ten years was actively engaged in general farming. Going then
to North Dakota, he bought 160 acres of wild land, and at once began
its improvement, continuing thus employed for four year?. Realizing
at the end of that time that no better farming region could be found
than that furnished by Indiana, Mr. Gavin returned, November 3, 1910,
to Wells County, and resumed possession of the farm on which he and
his wife began housekeeping, and here he has since remained. Energetic
and wide-awake, he has continued the improvements previously begun,
having his eighty acres of rich and fertile land under an excellent state
of culture, and in August, 1916, completed the fine, modemly con-
structed house now occupied by himself and family.

'Sir. Gavin married. June 9, 1896, Anna Howard, who was born on a
farm in Liberty Township, Wells County, January 9, 1876. Her parents,
John and ilary J. (Prentiss) Howard, were both born and bred in Ohio,
and both died at an early age in Liberty Township, the father dying
before the birth of his daughter Anna, and the mother a little more than
six years later. Mr. and iMrs. Gavin have four children, namely: Victor
F., Mary, Ruth and Ruby. In his political relations Mr. Gavin is a
stanch democrat. Religiously Mi's. Gavin is a member of the Liberty
Center Baptist Church.

Charles W. Plummer. In the Indiana plan of local government
the most important office is that of township triistec. Through this

6:32 ADAJIS AND WELLS COUNTIES

office is administered the business and financial management of the
local schools and the condition of the schools, the highways, and other
improvements are largely an index of the character of the man chosen
to fill that important office.

The people of Jackson Township in Wells County have many times
congratulated themselves upon the fortunate choice of Charles W.
Plummer for the office of trustee. Mr. Plummer has taken a great deal
of pride and given his time unreservedly to the duties of his office, and
his record sets a high water mark of administrative efficiency.

'Sir. Plummer is also one of the live and progressive farmers of that
township, his home being on section 12. He was born in Eush County,
Indiana, November 3, 1868, a son of Benjamin and Harriet (Conrad)
Plummer. His parents were both born near ]Maysville, Kentucky, were
married there, and later removed to Rush County, Indiana, and in 1876
established their home on a farm near Van Buren in Grant Count}',
Indiana, where the rest of their useful and honorable careei-s were
spent. They were the parents of nine children, and five are still living :
Thomas of Van Buren Township, Grant County; Slary S. ; Charles W. ;
Emery J. of Robinson, Illinois ; and William H. of Van Buren, Indiana.

Charles W. Plummer was eight years old when his parents moved to
Grant Coimty and on the home farm he grew to maturity and acquired
an education in the local schools. About the time he reached his majority
he began doing for himself, and has been dependent upon his own
exertions to put him ahead in the race of life.

On December 24, 1894, he married Miss Winnie Steel, who was born
in Whitley County, Indiana, June 13, 1872, a daughter of Andrew J.
Steel. Her father was at one time proprietor of a saw mill at Warren,
Indiana, and in that community Mrs. Plummer spent most of her girl-
hood and received her education. After his marriage Mr. Plummer
located at Warren for a year, and then moved to a farm in Jefiferson
Township of Huntington County. In March, 1907, he came to Jackson
Township of Wells County and bought the eighty acres comprising his
present excellent homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Plummer have five children : Ruth M., a graduate of
the common schools and now the wife of Bascom Kidd of Jackson Town-
ship ; ^lary A., who has finished the work of the common schools and is
still at home; Ivan, born March 12, 1905; Esther, born June 17, 1913;
and Florence, bom September 18, 1917. The family are active members
of the United Brethren Church of ilount Zion and Mr. Plummer is one
of the trustees of the church.

Politically he has always affiliated with the democratic party. His
election to the cffice of trustee of Jackson Township occurred on Noveni-
lier 3. 1914, and lie mtered upon his official duties on January 1, 1915.

Charles A. Palmer. Prominent among the native born citizens of
Wells County, who have spent their lives within its borders and have
contributed of their time and energies towards the advancement of its
leading interests, is Charles A. Palmer, a well-to-do and enterprising
agriculturist whose birth occuri'ed June 1, 1875, in Jackson Township,
on the fai-m which he now owns and occupies.

Mr. Palmer's father, Cassius M. Paliuer, was born in Blackford
County, Indiana. October 3, 1850, and was there reared to manhood.
Becoming a tiller of the soil, he bought land on section 31, Jackson
Township, Wells County, and on the farm which he improved was busily
employed until his death, February 17, 1914. The maiden name of his
wife was Minerva M. Skinner. She was born October 15, 1853, in Lick-
ing County, Ohio, and at the age of fourteen years came with her parents,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 633

Johu and Sarah (Drum) Skinner, to Blackford County, Indiana, where,
on December 28, 1871, she was united in marriage with Cassius ^l.
Pahner. Two children were born of their union, namely : Cora E., wife
of Luther Lightle, of Jackson TowTiship ; and Charles A.

Brought up on the parental homestead, Charles A. Palmer acquired
his early education in the district schools, and on the farm was well
drilled in agricultural pursuits. Succeeding to the ownership of the
farm on which he has always resided, Mr. Palmer is following his chosen
occupation successfully, having 110 acres of choice land, which he culti-
vates with good results, the rich soil yielding abundant harvests of hay,
grain and other productions common to this section of the country.

The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Palmer was :\Iaude M. McMil-
lan. She was born, November 27, 1880, in Grant County, Indiana. Her
father, D. S. Mcilillan, was born in 1847, in the same county, in the
month of July. He married Hettie F. Shuck, who was born in Muskin-
gum County, Ohio, January 16, 1860, and to them eight children were
born, as follows: Maude il. ; Lulu I. ; Archie I., wife of Ned Conwell,
of Van Buren, Indiana; Alexander J., of Oklahoma; Bessie, wife of
Dr. W. W. Mott, of Van Buren; Ruth L., wife of Charles Curnes, of
Huntington, Indiana; Lida J.; and Madona L., a student in the Van
Buren High School. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan are residents of Van
Buren.

ilr. and Mrs. Palmer have one child, Dorothy I., born [May 11, 1907.
Politically Mr. Palmer supports the principles of the republican party
by voice and vote. Religiously both he and his wife are members of the
Christian Church.

John F. Kreigh. There are solid and substantial business houses
at Echo that were started with small capital and that have been built
up into important enterprises through the steady industry and business
ability of their nwiiors. without any outside assistance except that com-
ing to them tlii'iiiii^li Icuiiimate trade. One such started here in 1889
as a tile manufactiifiim and milling business, has gi'own to large propor-
tions and has einhraced other lines and is still steadily prospering.
Reference is made to the industries in which John F. Kreigh is inter-
ested.

John F. Kreigh was born in Jeffei-son Township, Wells County,
Indiana, July 5, 1864. His parents were Samuel and I\Iagdalena (Beck)
Kreigh. The father was born in 1829 and came to AVells County when
he was twenty-three years old, from Pennsylvania. The mother was
born in Germany in 1832 and was brought to the United States and to
Fort Wayne, Indiana, by her parents, when six years old. They were
married in 1847 and the following children were born to them: Martin,
who is deceased; Samuel, who married Elizabeth Repright, Rosa, who
is deceased; Eliza, who married Isaac Green; ilary, who married
Nicholas Shorts; Rebecca, who is deceased : John F. ; Sarah, who married
David White; and Charles, who inanicil I'.ritha Lechnor.

John F. Kreigh attended the pulilic siIhkiIs of Williamsport, Indiana,
and was variously engaged prior to 1^89 when in partnership with his
brother Charles he went into a tile manufacturing and milling business
at Echo. It required courage and effort to get the business on a sound
foundation, but the young men were persevering and enterprising and
in ten years' time were ready to widen their field of operations and
opened a grocery store in connection. Their business policy has always
been the satisfying of their customers and treating them honestly and
courteously. They are numbered with the snniid business men of tliis
place.

634 ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES

John F. Kreigli was married September 18, 1889, to ]\Iiss Sadie
Feighncr, who is a daughter of Daniel and Christina Feighner, who
have four other children, namely: John; Cora, who married Fenna
Piatt ; Millard, who married Delay Brubebaker ; and George. ]\Ir. and
]\Irs. Kreigh have had four children, three of whom survive : Wilda, who
married Oral Heckley, of Wells County; and Rosa and "Warner, both of
whom live with their parents. The eldest child, George, is deceased,
ilr. Kreigh is known to be a good citizen, a supporter of church and
schools and an upholder of the laws. He has never sought any political
office for himself, but heartily supports others who are candidates of
the republican party, if they meet with the approval of his judgment.

Edward Neuenschwander is a merchant of long and active experi-
ence, has been connected with the hardware trade in various localities
since early youth, and is now proprietor of the leading store of that
kind at the Village of Vera Cruz in Harrison Township of Wells
County.

Vera Cruz is his birthplace. He was born April 23, 1856, a son of
Ulrich and Anna (Sauer) Neuenschwander. His father -was born in
Switzerland April 15, 1814, was an early settler in Wells County and
died at Vera Cruz June 16, 1916, when past ninety years of age. His
wife was born in Ohio :March 30, 1830, and died October 28, 1864. They
had six children : William, of St. Louis, :\Iissouri ; Edward : Levi, who
was born August 26, 1858, and died January 24. 1900; and Bertha, born
December 21, 1860, and died ilarch 4, 1901; Albertine, born May 22,
1862. widow of Charles Waltermath ; and Mabel living at Foi't Wayne,
Indiana.

Edward Neuenschwander grew up in the Village of Vera Cruz, had
a common school education and in 1872 went to Lima, Ohio, and found
employment in a hardware store. In 1876 he entered the service of the
Prescott Brothers Hardware Company at Fort Wayne, and in 1888
invested his modest capital in a business of his own at Linn Grove. In
1905 Mr. Neuenschwander opened a new stock of goods at Vera Cruz
and has since been steadily prospering and extending his trade relations
all over that section of Wells County. Mr. Neuenschwander began life
with very little capital, and is now head of a successful business and
owns property at Linn Grove and several pieces of real estate in Vera
Cruz.

May 10, 1894, he married Mary Hilty, who was born at Beaver Dam,
Ohio, and died February 13, 1903. In July, 1906, Mr. Neuenschwander
married Frances Biberstein. I\Irs. Neuenschwander is an active mem-
ber of the German Reformed Church. Politically he is a democrat and
has performed a yeoman's service in behalf of the party and to the
benefit of every worthy movement in his locality.

John Gregg. For nearly three scoi-e years actively identified with
the development and advancement of the agricultural interests of Wells
County, the late John Gregg of Liberty Township was an honored rep-
resentative of the early pioneers of this section of the state, and a true
type of the energetic and enterprising men who, by diligent toil, suc-
ceeded in transforming a forest-covered land into a fertile and produc-
tive agricultural region. A native of Ireland, he was born in County
Donegal. ^\:\y 9. 1>^-9. His parents, Richard and Fannie (JlcClure)
Gregg, lifc-liiiij:- n'sidcnts of Ireland, reared several children, three of
whom, John, William and Daniel, innnigrated in early manhood to
America.

Arriving in the I'liited States in June, 1851, John Gregg found his

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 635

first employment in Philadelphia, after which he followed liis trade of
a bricklayer in Wayne County, Ohio, for a while, in the meantime pur-
chasing a tract of wild laud in Liberty Township, Wells County, Indiana.
In 1855 ]Mr. Gregg viisited his relatives and friends in Ireland, remain-
ing there about six months. Returning to this country early in 1856,
'Sir. Gregg married soon after, and immediately settled on his farm in
Liberty Township. He cleared and improved his homestead of 130
acres, and during his many years of active life occupied a leading posi-
tion among the skilful and practical agriculturists of his community.
In 1879 he again visited his old home in Ireland, remaining a few
months. His death, which occurred February 9, 1907, was deemed a
lo.ss, not only to his immediate family, but to town and county.

Mr. Gregg married, October 19, 1858, Fannie Wallace, who was born
in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, March 28, 1841, a daughter of
Samuel and Susanna (Jackson) Wallace. Her father was born in
Ireland November 19, 1805, and in 1S3'_' ,-ame tn the Cnitcd States, and
having settled in Wells County, ludiaim. lioiiuiit land in Rock Cre-k
Township, where he was for many ,\''ais cxti'iisiv ely iMigaged in farm-
ing, being proprietor of large tracts of land. Airs. Gi-egg still occupies
the homestead on whicli slic ami lici- Imsband lived so iiappily together
for forty-nine years. She united when young with the I'lM'sbyt'-rian
Church at Bluffton, to wliich her husband also belonged, and is now one
of its valued and esteemed members. Thirteen children were born of
the marriage of ilr. and Mrs. Gregg, eight of whom are living, namely :
Richard S., engaged in farming in Harrison Township ; Sarah J., living
with her mother; J. W. of Detroit, Michigan; Joseph D. of Liberty
Center; ]Mary E., wife of F. R. Cochran of Missouri; Fannie E., wife
of Joseph H. Bumbaugh of Jay County, Indiana ; Thomas D. of Liberty
Township ; and John W., living with his mother and sister. Mrs. Gregg
also reared a grandson, Kenneth E. Gregg, whom she took into her
home and heart when he was but live niontlis old. his birth having oc-
curred ]March 12, 1901. He is now a junior in the Libertv Center
High School.

I. V. L. G.\RRETT. Especially worthy of mention in a work of this
character was the late I. V. L. Garrett, a prosperous agriculturist of
Wells County, and a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Lil)erty
Township. A son of Noah Garrett, he was born, February 13, 1862, in
Wayne County, Ohio.

Noah Garrett, a native of Pennsylvania, started westward in early
life, going first to Wayne County, Ohio, where he lived and labored a
number of years. Later, he came with his family to Wells County,
Indiana, where he bought a tract of land, and on the farm which he im-
proved spent his remaining years. To him and his wife, whose maiden
name was Leah Funk, four children were born and reared, as follows:
I. V. L., of this brief biography ; Alice, wife of Alonzo Rittenhouse of
Liberty Township ; Frank C. of Liberty Township ; and Walter 0., re-
siding in Liberty Center.

Coming with his parents to Wells County, Indiana, as a boy I. V. L.
Garrett obtained a practical education in the common schools. Selecting
farming as his occupation, he remained on the home farm until ready
to establish a home of his own, when he assumed possession of the farm
of eighty acres now occupied by his widow.

Mr. Garrett married, December 24, 1885, Fanny Howard. She was
born in Jackson County, Ohio, August 4, 1864, ancl while yet an infant
was brought by her parents to Wells County, the trip having been nuide
with teams. The parents lived for a while in Nottingham Township,

6^6 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

but in 1S6S settled in Lil)erty Township, on the farm now occupied by
Jacob L. Eckhart, and there spent their remaining days. They reared
eight children, of whom six are now, in 1917, living, as follows : Emeline,
wife of J. W. Collins of Harrison Township ; Lindsay, now employed in
the Illinois oil tields ; Fanny, now Mrs. Garrett; ilary J., wife of Homer
Bumgarner of Bluffton : Martha E., wife of Alfred Thompson of Liberty
Township ; and Anna E., wife of William J. Gavin of Liberty Town-
ship. Mrs. Garrett is a woman of culture and ability, and prior to her
marriage taught school tive terms in Liberty and Jackson townships.
She has two daughters, namely : Vera I., born in June, 1888, is living
with her mother; and Bertha B., born in 1894, was graduated from the
Liberty Center High School, and is now a student at Franklin College.
Mr. and Mrs. Garrett united with the Liberty Center Bapti.st Church
many years ago, and towards its support have been generous con-
tributors. Politically Mr. Garrett was a steadfast republican.

James N. Stiadle is a native son of Chester Township, Wells County,
and for over forty years has applied his energies to the business of
farming and stock raising and is easily one of the most substantial busi-
ness men and citizens of that community. His farm is in section 8 of
Chester Township.

He was born in that township October 26, 1854, a son of Philip and
Margaret (Donnelly) Shadle. Philip Shadle is a remarkable instance
of longevity, and despite his hardships and experiences as a pioneer in
Wells County is still living at the venerable age of ninety-two. He
was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1825, son of
Philip and Mary (McGlade) Shadle. His father was a native of Center
County, Pennsylvania, while ilary ]McGlade was two years old when
her parents came from Ireland. The grandparents married in Dauphin
County, Pennsylvania, and for twenty-five years made their home in
Lebanon County. In 1836 they removed to Wayne County. Ohio, a year
later to Holmes County, and in the fall of 1847 traded the Ohio farm
for 110 acres of wild land in Wells County, Indiana. Philip Shadle,
Sr., was a carpenter by trade and hewed out the logs for his home in
Wells County and made the first substantial house of the kind in Ches-
ter Township. His wife died in Wells County in January, 1855, and
he passed away in 1874.

The veneralile Philip Shadle was reared and educated in Ohio, and
in Wayne County, that state, married August 7, 1845, Jliss Margaret
Donnelly, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of John and Fannie
(Singer) Donnelly, also natives of Pennsylvania. The Donnelly family
moved from Penn.sylvania to Wayne County, Ohio, about 1835, and in
1850 went to Holmes County, Ohio. Philip Shadle brought his family
to Wells County the year after his father's settlement, and located on
a tract of sixty-five acres of the old homestead. He looked after the
farm while his father followed his trade as a carpenter, and being a
man of great strength and industry he cleared up with the assistance of
his children fully 150 acres of the virgin land of Chester Township.
He became owner of a fine farm and he kept in close touch with its
operation until advanced years. His good wife was born January 14,
1829, and their companionship was one of remarkable length, being ter-
minated after more than seventy years by her death on January 21,
1917. For years they wex-e faithful members and active workers in the
United Presbyterian Church. Philip Shadle was a man of affairs in
his township and county, was township trustee six years, and as a
republican at one time was chairman of the Republican Committee in
his home township. He and his wife had a large family of fifteen

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 637

children, and six sons and two daughters are still living: William A.,
James N., Lncetta, wife of John Godfrey; Reason, Samuel, John, Eli
and Ada, wife of Frank Stair.

As member of such a family, James N. Shadle naturally learned
habits of industry and thrift when a boy, and those were perhaps
more important to his later life than the formal instruction he acquired
in the neighboring district schools. He assisted his father in clearing
away some of the land, in getting the farm into cultivation, and was
well prepared to assume the serious responsibilities of making a home
when he married.

In 1875 Mr. Shadle married Miss Caroline Penrod. Thev are the
parents of three children. Oscar lives near the old home and is mar-
ried; Mertie is the wife of Lester Clark; and Maude married John
Osborn.

The Shadle family are active members of the Christian Church.
Politically Mr. Shadle votes as a republican. He is a public spirited
man in his community, and has allied himself with various movements
for general advancement in addition to the responsibilities he has long
carried as a farmer. Mr. Shadle 's farm comprises 220 acres, and he
has always used it for breeding and raising of good grades of livestock
of all kinds.

EixiAii N. Cassell. Tlie agricultural development of any county
or township does not depend ui)on the efforts of any one individual,
but results from the combined labors and enterprise "of many. There
are, however, usually a few who are leaders and who know" best not
only how to utilize iheiv own labors but to so direct the energies of
others as to produce results of far-reaching importance in agi'icultural
life. Among those who are prominently connected with nioveiiieiits
making for progress in Chester Township, Wells Count>-, one who is
well known, is Edgar N. Cassell, whose finely developed farm is located
on Poneto Rural Route No. 1.

Edgar N. Cassell was born at Hartford City, Indiana, July 23, 1874,
a son of Dr. G. W. and Arabella (iloorman) Cassell. The family was
one of the most prominently known at Hartford City, which was laid
out by Abram Cassell, the grandfather of Edgar N., in the capacity
of county surveyor of Blackford County, Indiana. Abram Cassell had
come as a pioneer to Blackford County and owned much land in the
locality in which Hartford City was situated. He rounded out his
life in agricultural pursuits and became one of the well-to-do men of
his community. Dr. G. W. Cassell was born at Hartford City, was
thoroughly i^repared for the profession of medicine, and for many years
practiced as a physician and surgeon. During a long period he prac-
ticed at Hartford City, where he was widely and favorably known,
but in later years centered his professional business in the communities
of Keystone and Poneto, and his death occurred at Hartford City, Indi-
ana. Doctor Cassell was one of the skilled men of his calling and was
highly regarded by his professional associates and by the public in
general. His ability and industry combined to gain him a handsome
material competency, and at his death his property was divided among
his children. He was a church member, and in addition to the organiza-
tions of his calling belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Of his six children three are living at this time : Edgar N. : Ida, who is
the wife of Gu.y Mahoney of Hartford City, Indiana ; and Bonnie, the
wife of Jesse Craft, also of that city.

Edgar N. Cassell was reared at Hartford City, in Chester Township,
and at Keystone and Poneto, and attended school in all of these com-

QEO- J. TiiIBOI.F!T.
BlA'FhTOff, I.M>
rhKASE iUiVUHN PHO.>^.'

638 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

muiiities. While his fatht'i- was a professional man, the family home
was ou a farm during a large part of the time, and thus it was that
Edgar N. Cassell grew up more as an agriculturist than anything else
and that he turned his attention naturally to that vocation when he
imtered upon his life's work. When still a young man he was united
in marriage with Miss Blanche Starr, daughter of B. F. Starr, and they
havf since resided ou the old Starr homestead place, which had been
ori-iii:illy scitlcd by Mrs. Cassell's grandfather, B. F. Starr, Sr. Mr.
Cassell i-airii's on general farming, but like many others in the county
speciali/cs to some extent, particularly in the way of breeding Aberdeen-
Angus cattle. Of this stock he has a herd of twenty head, at the head
of which is the individual Duck Creek Phelps. He has also other good
grades uf stock, and is a director in the Farmers Co-Operative Elevator
Company at Poneto, and a director in the Farmers State Bank, of
which he was one of the organizers. In polities he is a republican, but
not active.

:\Ir. and Mrs. Cassell are the parents of three children: Mazie, a
graduate of the Hartford City High School, class of 1917 ; and Madge
and George, who are both attending the Keystone High School.

David H. ;\Iorris. An esteemed and highly respected citizen of
Wells County, and one of its enterprising and progressive farmers,
David H. Morris has for many years been intimately associated with
the development and promotion of the agricultural interests of Liberty
Township, his well-kept and finely-managed estate being located on the
Smoky Row Pike, in Liberty Township, five miles west of Bluffton. He
was born, August 7, 1845, in Highland County, Ohio, where his child-
hood days w'ere spent.

Isaac Slorris, his father, was born in Highland County, Ohio,
August 29, 1820, and was there actively engaged in agricultural pur-
suits for many years. He was twice married. He married first Jane
Martin, a native of Ohio. She died April 17. 1847, leaving but one child,
David H., of this sketch, who subsequently lived witli an aunt until his
father remarried. In the winter of 1851-2 Isaac Morris came with his
family to Indiana, and having purchased a tract of wild land in Ran-
dolph County began the pioneer task of redeeming- a farm from the
wilderness. Successful in his task, he continued a resident of that county
until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-three years.

But seven years of age when brought to Indiana, David H. Morris
was educated in the district schools, and throughout his earlier life as-
sisted his father in clearing a homestead, laboring courageoush' and
perseveringly. Reared to habits of industry and economy, he was wise
in his savings, and prudent in his expenditures, and after his marriage
bought a farm on White River, Randolph County, where he lived about
five years and then liought the farm he now owns in Liberty Township,
Wells County. Laboring with characteristic energy and foresight, Mr.
;\Iorris has now^ one of the best and most desirable pieces of property
in his community, his farm being under a good state of cultivation, and
yielding abundantly of the crops commonly grown in this section of
the state. ]Mr. Morris moved to Bluffton in the spring of 1018 and re-
tired from active work, giving his son, Isaac, full charge of the home
farm.

Mr. Morris married March 28, 1874, Lochie A. Taylor, who spent her
entire life in Wells County except for the five years spent in Randolph
County. Her death occurred on the home farm, in Liberty Township,
March 10, 1896. Seven children were born of the marriage of ilr. and
:\Irs. ^lorris, namely: Elmer E., who is married and lives in Liberty
Township; ^Mary J., living at home; Ida I., wife of Thomas Gregg of

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 639

Liberty Township; Edna A., wife of Cliarles Haughton; Bessie E., de-
eeasedl wife of William Barcus; Isaac 0., who married March 31, 1917,
lives on the home farm with his father; and Taylor Alonzo, deceased.
Politically ilr. Morris is a prohibitionist, and religiously he is a Quaker.

William J. Arciibold has played a very prominent part in the
affairs of Decatur and of Adams County, both as a business man and
public official. He v.-as county trcasniv,- in 1914-15, elected to that
office on the democratic ticket. A stanclni' and truer American there
could not be found anywhere, and it w as liis splendid loyalty to the essen-
tial fundamentals of American life and also his strenuous opposition
to the saloon element that caused ^Ir. Archbold's defeat for re-election.

The name Archbold is one of the oldest and most honored in Adams
County, where it was established about the time the county was or-
ganized. The Archbolds are of Irish ancestry. His great-grandfather,
Thomas Patrick Archbold, fought as a soldier in the American Revo-
lution and also in the War of 1812. He died either in Pennsylvania or
in Tuscarawas Count}', Ohio. His son, Thomas Archl)old, grandfather
of William J., was born in Pennsylvania in ISOO. and was (|uite young
when he went with his parents to Tnsi-arawas ('(innty, ()hi(i. He grew
up there, and nuirried Malinda Andrews.

It was in 18:1.'), a \ear before Adams County was formally organized,
that Thomas Arclib,,!,! Inouizhi his fatlier to this section of Indiana.
He located a traet u\' giixcrnimiit land in Root Township a mile and a
half northwest of Deeatur. At that time there were numerous Indians,
but frieiidlv, and they were less an obstacle to the pioneers than more
natural difficulties that stood in the way of cultivation and improve-
ment, ^lueli (if the land was low and swampy aiul it was also covered
with liea\y timber. The woods furnished one source of support to the
j)i(ineers in the abundance of game. The Archbold family knew Decatur
as a village of a few houses and their neighbors were few and far be-
tween. Thomas Archbold cleared a space in the wikbM'in^ss, ereetid a
log cabin, and in the course of many years by unremittinu' industry had
a first class farm. Thomas Archbold died on the old homestead in 1872
at the age of seventy-two. His wife was born in 1802 and died in
1874. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Thomas
Archbold was one of the most influential democrats in the "arly days
of Adams County. He was the father of three sons and six daughters,
nearly all of whom reached old age, and two of the daughters are still
living.

Jeremiah Ai'ebbold, father of William .J., was the fourth elnld in his
parents' family. lie was born in Ohio September 25. 1829, and was
six years of age when brought to Adams County. He grew up with
the old Root Township farm as his environment, and eventually owned
half of that farm, comprising a little more than 100 acres. To its
cultivation and superintendence he gave the active ycTrs of his life,
and he died there honored and respected on June 10, 1917, when nearly
eighty-eight years of age. He was a lifelong supporter and voter with
the democratic party. For twenty-six years he held the office of justice
of the peace. Whether officially- ei- etlierwise he was a man whose word
was almost accepted as law, ami he presid(>d over his .iustiee court with
such dismity and impartiality that few (b'eisions were ever appealed
and rarely was one of them reversed by a hi'-iber court.

In Adams County Jeremiah Archbold niai'ried Loviua Paulison, who
was born in New Jersey in 1832. was taken when verv young to Ohio
and was still a girl in her teens when she came to Adams County and
settled in Root Township with her parents, John and Elizabeth (Van

640 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Camp) Paulison. Her parents spent the rest of their days in Root
Townsliip, and her father died in his fiftieth j'ear. There were many
sons and daughters in the Paulison family, but only one of them is still
living. The Paulisons were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs.
Lovina Archbold died at the old home at the age of eighty-three. She
became a member of the ]\lethodist Church. There were four sons and
five daughters, five of whom are still living, William J. being the fourth
in age.

Mr. Archbold was reared on his father's farm, and made the best use
of his educational advantages. He worked as a farmer and also taught
school until he was twent.y-six and after his marriage he taught for
two }-ears.

In 1890 he married ^liss Izora J. Mann, daughter of Joseph E. and
Louisa (Kiess) Mann. Her parents were among the early settlers of
Root Township. Her father spent his career as a farmer and died sev-
eral years ago at the age of sixty-nine. The widowed mother is still
living, hale and hearty, and occupies the old homestead, being now nearly
three score and ten years old. The Manns were members of the ]\Iethodist
Episcopal Church. ^Irs. Archbold was born in 1871. and was well edu-
cated, graduating from the common schools under William J. Archliold
as teacher.

In the fall of 1890 ;\Ir. Archbold came to Decatur and for eighteen
years was local agent of the Adams Express Company. During part
of that time and later he served sixteen years as city treasurer. ^Ir.
Archbold in a business way is known as a manufacturer of specialties for
steam boilers and he has built up a successful business and markets the
output through his own agency. He and his family occupy a nice home
at 38 North Tenth Street. i\Ir. and IMrs. Archbold have the following
family of children : Lawrence, Marion, Earl, Esther and Catherine.
Lawrence is a graduate of Purdue University and is now employed as
chemist with the Holland Street Sugar Beet Factory of Decatur. He
married Miss Alice Elliott of Lafayette, Indiana. The son ilarion also
pursued technical courses in Purdue University and is a chemical engi-
neer. He saw active service during the troubles along the ^Mexican bor-
der in 1916 and qualified as a first class gunner. The son Earl is now
seventeen years of age and in the third year of the city high school, while
the two younger children. Esther and Catherine, are ased respectively
twelve and five years. The family are all members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

John Jellison. Now spending his declining years in peace and com-
fort on his farm in Chester Township, John Jellison is one of the sturdy
young men who responded to the call to arms when the L'nion was in its
most critical danger and fought well and liard as a private in the ranks
for three years. ^lore than half a century has passed since that great
war and these years 'Sir. Jellison has employed ([uietly and industriously
as an agriculturist in Wells County.

He was born in Preble Countv. Oliio. October 17, 1839. a son of
Ephraim and Mary A. (Reed") Jellison. Both parents were natives of
Pennsylvania, his father of Westmoreland County. They married in
Preble County. Ohio, and lived there for a number of years. On S'^ptem-
ber 25, 1853. the familv arrived in Wells County, and established home
in the new district of Chester Township. The parents spent the rest of
their days there, and the father became a republican voter n]ion the
organization of the party. There were four children in the family and
^Ir. John Jellison is the last survivor. His brother James gave up his
Uie to the Union at the battle of Chickamanga on September 19, 1863.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES G41

The two daughters were ilary E. and Sarah J. The latter never mai'ried.
Mai-y became the wife of Lsaac Jones.

John Jellison was fourteen years of age when the family eame to
"Wells County. He had attended district schools in Ohio, and he grew to
manhood with the sturdy discipline of a new farm in Wells County. On
August 1, 1862, he responded to the call for 300,000 men to put down
the rebellion, enlisting as a private in Company E of the Seventy-fifth
Indiana Infantry. He saw nearly three years of active service carrying
a musket through some of the hardest fought campaigns of the war. He
was not mustered out until June 8, 1865. A partial list of the battles in
which he participated indicate the campaigns by which the Confederacy
was gradually split in two and triumph brought to the Union flag. These
battles were Hartsville, Hoover's Cap. Decker Station, Chickamauga,
Jlilton. Tullahoraa, Chattanooga, Misshnijiy Kidoe. Graysville, Kinggold,
Tunnel Hill, Rocky Face Rida'c, Adairs\ ill,-. ( 'ussville. New Hope Church,
Big Shanty. Gulp's Farm, Kenesaw Aluuutaui, ilarietta, Chattahooche
River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Savannah,
Fayetteville, Averysboro, Bentonville and Smithfield. He was in the
fighting through Eastern Tennessee, the Atlanta campaign, the march to
the sea across Georgia, and up through the Carolinas until the armies of
General Johnston surrendered. Several times he was slightly wounded,
but was never absent from duty for any length of time. For many years
Mr. Jellison has been an honored member of Lew Dailey Post No. 33,
Grand Army of the Republie.

After the war he returned to Wells County and on October 24. 1867,
married Miss Nancy J. Miller. Jlrs. Jellison was born in Wells County
January 11. 1848, 'a daughter of Henry G. Miller. Henry G. Miller's
name is established in Wells County history as proprietor of one of the
first grist mills in the county. After their inaii'laui' 'S\r. and Mrs. Jellison
rented a farm for a year or two and then biiuuiit ninety-six acres in the
midst of the green woods, and that tract has been gradually developed
into one of the most productive and most highly improved places of
Chester Township. Here Mr. Jellison has continued to live to the pres-
ent time His wife died July 30. 1888. Four children were born to them
and the only one now living is Elmer Jellison, a farmer at Blount Zion.
Mrs. Jellison was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Jellison cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln on No-
vember 6. 1860. and has never waivered one jot or tittle from the princi-
ples which he at that time upheld and which have made him one of the
oldest republican voters of Wells County.

George E. Steele. The City nf Decatur has long had an example of
the enterprise furnished by George E. Steele, as a business man and
capable and straightforward citizen. Jlr. Steele has been in business
at Decatur for nearly a quarter of a century, and is now head of the
heating and plumbing establishment on North First Street. He first
went into business in 1893 with his brother, Albert N., under the firm
name of A. N. Steele & Brother. For several years they dealt in wind
mills and pumps, but in 1896 expanded their business as plumbers and
heating workers and in 1913 Albert Steele sold his interest to his
lii'dtbcr and retired.

George E. Steele was born in Ashland Cnnnty. Oliio.^July 13, 1860,
and was about eighteen months old when in Se|iteinlier. 1861. his parents
removed to Adams County. He grew up liere and icreived his early edu-
cation in the local schools, and under his brother .Albert learned the
butcher's trade. Albert Steele was for about seven years proprietor of
one of the leading meat establishments of Decatur. From 1886 to 1892

642 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

George Steele was in Colorado, at Denver and various other cities, fol-
lowing his trade as butcher. He returned to Decatur in 1892, and the
following year became associated with his brother in business.

On coming to Adams County his parents, Levi and Charlotte (Bark-
ley) Steele, settled in Union Township. His parents were both born in
Pennsylvania and were quite young when their respective families
moved to Ashland County, Ohio, where they grew up and married. Levi
Steele served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade with I\Iartin Bender.
He remained in Mr. Bender's employ for several years, and on coming to
Adams County in 1861 he conducted the tannery of his relative, John
Bender, while the latter was serving as a Union soldier. This tannery
was noted for its fine leather products, and was conducted according to
the old established principles governing the business. After the war
Levi Steele took up farming, and continued a resident of Union Town-
ship until his death about 1884, when sixty-five years of age. His widow
(lied in 1894 at the age of seventy. They were very active members of
tlie Church of God, and a house of worship was built on their farm and
a cemetery laid out there. They were among the leaders of the church
and liberal supporters to its cause. Levi Steele was a republican in
politics and all his sons followed him in political action. There was a
large family, eight of whom grew up, all of them married and three sons
and one daughter, ]Mrs. Ellen Mumma, are still living.

Mr. George E. Steele married at Georgetown, Illinois, ]\Iiss Golda
McKinnie. She was born in Howard County, Indiana, about 1872, and
was reared there. Her parents, William and ]\Iahala (Chandler) Mc-
Kinnie, are still living at Russiaville in Howard County and are now past
sixty-five years of age, but retain a great deal of their physical and mental
vitality. Th«y are active members of the Christian Church and her father
is now an ardent prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one son, Irwin
W., aged eleven years, and a student in the public schools of Decatur. He
is also one of the talented performers in the Decatur Brass Band. ilrs.
Steele and son are members of the Christian Church. Politically Mr.
Steele is a republican. In the way of public service he was superintendent
of the local waterworks for two years.

Simeon B. Fordyce was born in Adams County seventy years ago,
was a youthful soldier in the Civil war, and for a half century has been
identified with the county as a practical farmer, land denier, merchant
and a citizen on whom has been conferred manj^ positions of trust and
responsibility.

He is of German and Scotch ancestry. His grandparents spent their
lives in Pennsylvania. John Fordyce, father of Simeon B., had a brother,
David, who became a California forty-niner. Early in 1850 John Fordyce
also went out to California, going around by way of Cape Horn, and he
and his brother had considerable success in the gold mines of the far west.
After a year John returned to Adams County, where he had settled some
years previously and in 1854 made a second trip to the West. John
Fordyce had left his native state of Pennsylvania and had moved to
Guernsey County. Ohio, where he married Mary Brown of Scotch
ancestry. Five of their children were born in Ohio and about 1845 the
family came to Adams County, traveling over the rough roads into a new
and sparsely settled district. They located in St. Mary's Township and
here erected a log cabin home in which their three youngest children
were born, Simeon B. being next to the youngest. The land was cleared
up, and in time constituted a good farm.

Perhaps no family in Adams County sacrificed more to the cause of
the I'nion than the Fordyces. In 1861 two sons of John Fordyce,

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 64:!

Jasper and Henry, enlisted in Company C of the Forty-seveutli Luliana
Infantry. In 1862 the father decided that his services were needed at the
front and he went to join the same company and regiment. At the battle
of Port Gibson on the ^Mississippi Jasper was shot through the forearm
and the muscles of the upper arm, the ball pa.ssing out through the
shoulder blade. That wound crippled him so that he was incapacitated
for further field duty, and spent the rest of his three years' time of en-
listment as a steward in a hospital ward at iladison, Indiana. A week
after the wound which incapacitated him his brother, Henry, was killed
in the battle of Champion Hill. In the meantime the father, John, had
reached the regiment and he was assigned to look after his dead son, and
while attending to the burial of his body suffered sunstroke, so that he
was discharged and sent home. John Fordyee died in February, 1866,
at the age of sixty-two.

Simeon B. Fordyee was born in St. Mary's Township of Adams
County January 27, 1847. He was only fourteen years of age wlien the
war broke out, and his i^atriotic ardor grew from day to day. He saw
his two brothers go into the army, later his father, and he tried again
and again to get consent to be taken as a soldier himself. Finally in
October, 1863, in his sixteenth year, he was enrolled in Company C of
the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. With this regiment he saw some very
arduous service, being assigned largely to scouting duty, and after the
campaign which ended with the battle of Nashville his regiment was
transferred to Missouri in Kansas, and did much fighting of guerillas
and Indians. He was granted his honorable discharge at Madison, Indi-
ana, being only nineteen years of age when mustered cut. Thus were
four gallant soldiers in the Fordyee family and Simeon was the otdy one
who returned from the front practically unscathed.

He resumed civil life as a farmer, and later conducted a grocery store
at Pleasant Mills. He gave up that business in favor of farming and in
1890 removed to Decatur, where he entered business as a grocer and con-
ducted one of the best patronized stores in the town for about twelve
years until he retired in 1902. He has also dealt extensively in farm
lands in Ohio and Indiana, and he owns a well equipped small farm of his
own in Root Township. His pleasant home is at 210 South Fourth Street
in Decatur.

He is the type of citizen who by experience, 'activities and judgment
the people implicitly trust. For twelve years he has served as a member
of the Adams County Board of Guardians, for six years as a member
of the County Board of Charities, and served two terms as a member of
the city council of Decatur. Mr. Fordyee is an active republican, has
served as senior vice commander of Post No. 63 Grand Army of the Re-
public, and for twenty-five years has been affiliated with Lodge No. 65 of
the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are mendiers of tlie Jlethodist
Episcopal Church.

Mr. Fordyee married Miss ]Mary Branderbery, a girl who grew up
in the same neighborhood with him. She was born in Washington Town-
ship April 5, 1849, was well educated and for several years before her
marriage taught school. She is member of the well known Branderbery
family elsewhere mentioned in this publication. Mr. and IMrs. Fordyee
have one daughter, Maggie. She was reared from eai-ly girlhood in De-
catur, and graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. She
is now the wife of Charles D. Teeple. who was born in Van Wert County,
Ohio, but was reared and educated in Adams County. Mr. Teeple is
now head of the successful clothing firm of Teeple, Branderbery & Pet-
erson of Decatur. ^Ir. and Mrs. Teeple have a daughter, Alta Fordyee
Teeple, born February 21, 1900. She is now a senior in the Decatur

Vol. 11—13

644 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

High School and her education is to be continued in Vassar College. Mr.
and ^Irs. Teeple and daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church.

David A. Ludwig was born near Mount Joy, Lancaster County,
Penns.ylvania, December 23, 1861, the son of Emanuel E. and Hannah
Stager Lud'\\ag, and now resides on his farm in Harrison Township,
Wells County, one mile south and two miles west of Bluft'ton, Indiana.
He is of German extraction, ti-:ii-iii,i;- liis family history back to Bavaria,
Germany, from which i)hii-c in 17:i:! Manicl and Mitchell Ludwig, two
brothers, sailed on the Ahirthonsc iiiidci' command of Captain Cluster,
landing at IMiibi(l''lphia. September 18, 1733. It was a family tradition
and that thimiyh political difficulties they left their native home as they
were closely related to the ruling house of Bavaria and Wurtemberg,
whose present king is a LudAvig.

On landing in the new world, these early ancestors of the Ludwigs in
America east about for a location to their liking and finally settled in
Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania and engaged in the milling
business, building what was- known as the Bartolette Mill in Oley, which
is still standing at this day. Later Daniel Ludwig left this place and
moved to Sinking Springs, six miles west of Reading, Pennsylvania,
where he purchased a farm, and lived there the remainder of his life.
Daniel Ludwig and his wife were the parents of eight children. One
son, Christopher, served in the Revolutionary war and was superintend-
ent of the bread making department under General Washington at
Valley Forge in 1777 and 1778. Daniel Ludwig died at the age of
seventy-niiie years, and his remains lie buried at Sinking Springs,
Pennsylvania.

Daniel Ludwig the second, son of Daniel the first, was born in Berks
County, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1748. He was the father of six children,
having been married three times. His first wife was Elona Jliller and
to them were bom three children. His second wife was Eva Griesmore
and to them were born two children. His last wife was Elizabeth
Shepert and they were the parents of one child. Daniel and his three
wives all are buried at Sinking Springs.

George Ludwig, a son of Daniel the second, was born in Berks County,
Pennsylvania, March 11, 1784. He was married to Rachel Waudle and
they reared a family of 'thirteen children, five boys and eight girls. He
died at his home in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1853 and was
buried near his home at Reamstown, Pennsylvania.

Emanuel E. Ludwig. son of George Ludwig, was born in East Calico
Township. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1822. On
reaching the age of his majority, he was married to Hannah Stager and
from this marriage the family tree of the Ludwigs was increased by nine,
four boys and five girls. Emanuel E. Ludwig was throughout most of
his life a general farmer, moving to Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, after his
marriage and residing there until the death of his wife in 1862. In
1864 he re-married, this time forming a marital home with ^liss Catherine
Brant, and moved on his 200 acre farm near ^Millersburg, situated thirty-
five miles west of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he continued his ac-
customed occupation for a short time, selling his farm near Millersburg
to engage in the mercantile bu.siness in a mining town known as Likens-
ville. A great misfortune befalling the mines of the town by a cave-in
of the mines, and killing of a nundier of men, was the source of a heavy
loss to him as he was carrying many of them on his books. He then sold
his store and moved to ]\Iiddletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania,
where he again engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued
until the year 1873 at which time he sold out and purchased a canal boat.
This was the year of the great panic and again he was caught in the

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 645

maelstrom of finance losing heavily. The troubles with his boat were
numerons and varied and having to wait idly in different places for a
load before proceeding to his destination, always the source of loss. The
lioat he had purchased and from which he had hoped to re-coup his ex-
chequer proved to be only an old one and cpiite unfit for service, but
.had been painted up for sale. Returning to Middletown with a load
of lumber, he barely escaped losing boat and cargo from sinking, ))ut after
unloading the shipment, he allowed the boat to sink, but was compelled
to pay for the damage done to the lumber, after which he retired to
private life.

The children now living of this pioneer are Emanuel S.. a merchant
at Penbrook, Pennsylvania, for a niunber of years postmaster at East
Ilarrisburg, Pennsylvania, which place is now called Penbniok; Jeromi'
Ludwig, a machinist residing at Ilarrisburg, Pennsylvania: Amanda
Walborn, widow of Frank Walborn, living in Lancaster Township, Wells
('ounty, Indiana: Lydia, the widow of Abram Shanaman, is living at
Anville, Penn.sylvania ; Hannah Lndwig, single, living in Chester County,
Pennsylvania, and David A. Ludwig of this sketch. Emanuel A. Ludwig,
died in 1882 and is buried at Jliddlitown, Dauphin Comity, Pennsylvania.

David A. Ludwig was edui'at.Ml in the public schools of his native
state, leaving school to make his own way in the world at a very early
age. One of his first places to be employed was at the King Car Works
at Middletown, Pennsylvania, where he received the sum of sixty cents
per day, and paying $3.00 per week for board. Here he helped to paint
the first cars rini on what was known then as the Toledo, St. Louis &
Ilockin^g Valley Railroad, but -which is now known as the Clover Leaf.
After working there for a time, he sought employment elsewhere and
soon hired to William Dickason, general repair boss for the Pennsyl-
vania Canal Company at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, making from $2.00
to $2.25 per day. His next move brought him to Wells County, In-
diana, where he was engaged as a farm laborer throughout Rock Creek
Township until his marriage May 12, 18S3, to Emma Raber, a daughter
of William Raber and wife, of same township. The home thus formed
has reared and slu'ltiTcd fhc children, Charles, residing at Albion, Mich-
igan; Ida, wife of ShiTiiiau Falk, of Rock Creek Township; Harrj',
living in Harrison Township; Mable, wife of Guy Falk, of Liberty
Township, and Homer, who is still at home with his parents.

ilr. Lndwig affords one of the very fine examples of the self-made
man, having secured enough of this world's goods to secure against
the inconveniences of penury, all of which he has accom]ilislii'd tlii-ouuh
hard and honest toil, wringing from the soil the reward ilnc tbosc who
apply themselves as have 'Sir. and ^Irs. Lndwig. Mrs. Lmlwik;- is allili-
ated with the Reformed Church, being a member of the St. Paul's Con-
gregation, of Roek Creek Tow^nship. In politics Mr. Ludwig has been
rather independent in his voting, though inclining to the republican
party in national affairs.

S.\MUEL E. Hitchcock. A prominent insurance nmn of tlie firm
Hitchcock & Fellers, Samuel E. Hitchcock was born in Butler County,
Ohio, November 19, 1862, and he is a son of Henry L, and Ann (Wil-
cox) Hitchcock. The parents were both born in the Bucke.ve state, the
father in Miami County and the mother in Butler County. Thej- were
married in Ohio and moved thence to Clinton County, Indiana, where
he was engaged in farming operations for a time. Samuel Hitchcock,
grandfather, was a graduate of William and ilary College, and was
an eminent physician and surgeon, being associated with the United
States Government for a number of yeai's. The Hitchcock family- was
founded in Scotland and the progenitor of the name in America came

646 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

hither in the old Colonial days: representatives of tlie name served in
the War of the Revolution, ilr. and 3Irs. Hiteheoek, parents, are both
deceased.

Samuel E. Hitchcock lived in Ohio until his twelfth year and
then resided with his parents on their farm in Clinton County, Indiana,
until his majority. His district school education was supplemented with-
a course of study in the American Normal School, at Logansport, Indi-
ana, and for two years he was a student in the State Normal School of
Indiana. He began his life work as a teacher and after teaching in
the common schools for a time was principal at Binghurst, Indiana, for
three years. In 1892 he was appointed principal of the Central School
in Bluffton and after one year in that position he was head of the science
department in the high school for two years. He then entered upon the
study of law, passed the state examinations successfully, and was ad-
mitted to the Indiana bar. He was engaged in the practice of law at the
outbreak of the . Spanish- American war, in which he served as regi-
mental commissary sergeant on the staff of Colonel Gunders. He went
with his regiment to Cuba and on his return to Bluffton he passed the
civil service examination and for the five succeeding j-ears was a local
mail carrier. As lawyer and mail carrier he was interested in the insur-
ance business and in 1905, in partnership with Walter L. Fellers, he took
over the old Greek agency and they began a thriving business under the
firm name of Hitchcock & Fellers. They handle all kinds of insurance
and have the largest concern of its kind in the state for the size of the
town.

In 1893, while a teacher, being desirous of procuring a library for
Bluffton, Mr. Hitchcock devised all kinds of means to raise the necessary
funds, among other things giving amateur plays. Books were purchased
and the library was installed in the high school building, Mr. Hitchcock
having been instrumental in getting a tax levy to pay the upkeep. He
was the first treasurer of the library board and in 1904, with the finan-
cial assistance of Andrew Carnegie, who contributed $13,000 for the pur-
pose, a splendid new library was erected. Mr. Hitchcock was a raemljer
of the building committee and for years was president of the library
board. Securing this fine library for Bluffton was a splendid accomplish-
ment and while it was not a one-man affair, still the city owes much to
Mr. Hitchcock for his great enthusiasm and untiring efforts. Without
his persistency and determination it is doubtful if Bluffton would have
secured a library at the early day it did.

air. Hitchcock is one of the directors of the Wells County Bank, of
the Union Savings & Trust Company and of the Bliss Hotel Company.
He is a valued member of Bluffton Lodge No. 145, Ancient Free and Ac-
cepted ]\Iasons, in which he is past ntaster; of Bluffton Chapter No. 95,
Royal Arch JIasons, in which he is past high priest; Bluffton Council No.
63, Royal & Select [Masters, in which he is past illustrious master; and
Bluffton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar, in which he is past
eminent commander. He is likewise affiliated with the Scottish Rite
branch of Masonry and he is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of
the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. In addition to ilasonry
he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the
Knights of Pythias. In politics ^Ir. Hitchcock is a republican.

December" 30, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of ilr. Hitchcock to .
Miss Emma Tressing, a native of Ohio. They have one daughter, Helen,
born September 14, 1898. Helen Hitchcock was graduated in the Bluff-
ton High School as a member of the class of 1916 and she is now a
sophomore in Jliami University, Oxford, Ohio.

The Hitchcock family are members of the Presbyterian Church, in

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ADAMS AND ^YELLS COUNTIES 647

which he served on the board of trustees. Mr. Hitchcock is a man of
broad human sympathy and great benevolence. Charity in its widest
and best sense is practiced by him and his kindness has made smooth tlie
way of many a weary traveler on life's journey. In his private life he
■is distinguished by all that marks. the true gentleman. His is a noble
character — one that subordinates personal ambition to public good and
seeks rather the benefit of others than the aggrandizement of self. En-
dowed by nature with high intellectual C|ualities, to which have been
added the discipline and embellishments of culture, his is a most attrac-
tive personality.

George 0. Pexce has spent his entire life within the limits of Har-
rison Township. Wells County, and represents a family that has been
identiiied with this section of the state fully seventy years. He is still
giving his energies to productive farming and has one of the fine farms
in Harrison Township in section 35.

He was born on section 23 of the same township February 5, 1851, a
son of Peter and Sarah J. (Sloan) Pence. Peter Pence was born in Hock-
ing County, Ohio, on July 1.5, 1817, a son of John Pence. John Pence was
a Virginian who located in Hocking County, Ohio, as early as 1798, four
years before Ohio was admitted to the Union. He spent his industrious
life in that section, and was the father of a large family, among them
being Hannah, Eliza. Rebecca, Jane, William, Sarah, Peter, John and
Gashum. Of these Rebecca was the first white child born in Hocking
County, Ohio.

Peter Pence grew to maturity on the old homestead in Hocking
County, and married there Sarah J. Sloan. She was born in County
Armagh, Ireland, July 4, 1818, and was brought to America by her
father when eight years of age, they also locating in Hocking County,
Ohio. The Sloan family had lived for generations in County Armagh,
Ireland, where a large stone house was handed down from generation
to generation by successive members of the family. It was in this home
that the first Orange Lodge was organized in Loughall, Ireland, and the
great-grandfather of George O. Pence presided over that meeting. Out of
that organization arose active hostilities, resulting in a battle between
the Orangemen and the Catholics, and the driving of a large part of
the Catholic popiilation from that county.

While they lived in Hocking County, Ohio, five children were born to
Peter Pence and wife. On May 15, 1847, they arrived with their family
in Wells County, Indiana, and settled on eighty acres of land in section
23 bought in 1842, and subsequently acquired another eighty acres.
]\Ir. Pence was a prosperous old time settler here and in politics was a
republican. He died December IS, 1898. His wife passed away in 1891.
She was a very active member of the Bethel ^Methodist Episcopal Church.
They had ten children : Lucinda, John H., Ascher, Ellen, Phoebe. Gashum,
Peter, Jr., Sarah J., ;\Iary E. and George 0. Of these three are still
living. Ellen is the wife of Emanuel Griffin of Oklahoma. Mary E. is
the wife of John McKeen of Blulfton. Indiana.

George 0. Pence grew up on his father's farm and acquired a dis-
trict school education. He lived at home until he was twenty-one and on
April 12, 1874, he married iliss p]mma C. ]Myers. She was born Sep-
temlier 9, 1853. in Harrison Township and has spent practically all of her
life there, having been educated in the district schools. She is a daugh-
ter of David Myers.

After their marriage Mr. and ^Nlrs. Pence engaged in farming for
thirty-five years, lieing on a farm in section 23 from which they moved

648 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

to Travisville where they lived five years. Their efforts were prospered
and in 1917 they moved to their present fine farm of eighty acres in
section 35. Harrison Township, and they own and operate eighty acres
in section 7 and have twenty acres in Nottingham Township.

Of their children the oldest, Samuel 0., was commissary sergeant in
the Spanish-American war, now engaged in his trade as a millwright at
Seattle, Washington. John S. is a carpenter and lives at Warren, Indi-
ana. Lewis A. conducts a farm near Myers Chapel Church. Effie P. is
the wife of Job Watson, living near La Fontaine, Indiana. Otto F. is now
in the service of the new National Army. Urban M., the youngest,
is also enrolled for service in the National Army.

Mr. Pence is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 114 Independent Order
of Odd Fellows and in polities is a republican.

WiiAKTOX W. Rogers. Wells County, Indiana, figures as one of the
most attractive, progressi\.' and pi-osperous divisions of the state, justly
claiming a high order of .iii/ciisliip and a spirit of enterprise which is
certain to conserve consccinivf development and marked advancement
in the material upbuilding of this section. The county has been and is
signally favored in the class of men who have contributed to its develop-
ment along industrial and financial lines and in the latter connection
the subject of this review demands recognition as he has been actively
engaged in banking operations during practically the entire period of
his career thus far. He is cashier of the Studabaker Bank at Bluffton
and he is well known as a man whose business methods demonstrate Ihe
power of activity and honesty in the business world.

Wharton W. Rogers, a native son of Bluffton, Indiana, was born June
13, 1885, and he is a son of Philo and Jlaria (Prillaman) Rogers. The
parents were born and reared in Welis County, Indiana, and the father
is now deceased, having pa.ssed away in 1906. As a boy, Philo Rogers
was bound out as an apprentice to Amos Curry to learn the dry goods
Inisiness and he was afterward associated with ilr. Curry for years, first
in the banking business and later in a hardware enterprise. Two children
were born to Mr. and ^Irs. Rogers : Lizzie I\I., a graduate of the Bluffton
High School, is the wife of Dr. L. W. Dailey of Bluffton : and Wharton
W., whose name forms the caption for this article.

After his graduation in the Bluft'ton High School, as a member of
the class of 1903, Wharton W. Rogers was matriculated as a student in
Purdue University, which excellent institution he attended for two years.
He then located in the city of Indianapolis, remaining there for six
months, at the end of which he returned to Bluffton and entered the
Studabaker Bank as bookkeeper. Diligent application to the work in
liand shortly gained him the position of assistant cashier, and in Octolier,
1912, he became cashier of the bank, which position he has filled with
marked efficiency to the present time, in 1918. He is a stockholder in
the Studabaker Bank ancl in the Bliss Hotel Company, of which latter
concei'n he is secretary. He is likewise secretary of the Fairview Ceme-
tery Association and treasurer of the Wells County Red Cross Associ-
ation, ilr. Rogers is a republican in politics, warmly advocating the
party principles and serving as the present treasurer of the Wells County
Central Committee. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knights
Templar and a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of
the ;\Iystic Shrine. He is likewise affiliated with the Knights of Pythias
and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religions faith co-
incides with the teachings of the ^lethodist E]iiscopal Church, of whose
official board he is seeretarv.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 649

In 1906 Mr. Rogers was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to ;\Iiss
Maggie Walmer, who was graduated in the Bluflfton High School and
attended De Pauw University. One son was born to this union : Robert
W^ whose nativity occurred in May, 1908. Mrs. Rogers died November
4, 1910, and for a second wife ilr. Rogers married Lucile Lock, a daugh-
ter of Del Lock, of Bluffton. She was graduated in the Glendale, Ohio,
College. They have one son, Wharton L., born March 18, 1917.

Daniel Spr.^ng is one of the veteran l>usiness men of Decatur, has
lived here nearly forty years, and has spi'Ut his life since i-hiblliodd in
Northeastern Indiana. His nanir for years was associated with nu'i'chaii-
dising at Decatur, but lattei'ly he has been engaged in manufacturing,
being interested in the manufacturing of slack barrel stock in different
parts of the country.

The Sprang name is of Swiss origin. The grandfather Christian
Sprang was born in Alsace Lorraine. He served as a soldier under the
great Napoleon in the climax of that soldier's career, from 1812 to 1815.
He was once slightly wounded. He married a girl from Alsace Lorraine
and settled down to farming. All their children were born in the old
country, named Frederick, Jacob, Godfrey, Sarah and Christian, Jr.
While most of these children were still young the family in 1822 emljarked
on a sailing vessel at Havre, France, and after a voyage of several weeks
lauded in New York City. From there they went on west to Wooster,
Wayne County, Ohio, where Christian Sprang, Sr., resumed his work as
a fanner. He was one of the pioneers of that section and he lived to see
liis family well provided with the comforts of life. His wife died in
Wayne County and some years later he passed away at the home of his
son Christian in Ashland County, Ohio, at the age of eighty-seven. He
was a Lutheran and reared his family in the same faith, and after coming
to America he became a voter of the democratic party. All his sons and
(hiiiL;litcrs urcw up, married in Ohio, and all except Christian spent their
hisi wMis III that state.

Christian Sprang, Jr., was born in Alsace Lorraine in 1816 and was
six years of age when he came to this country. In Ashland County he
married Sarah Hanver. She was born in the same year and in the same
province of France, and she came with her parents to America also in the
same year though on a separate vessel. The Hanvers located in Ashland
County. Ohio, where she grew up and remained until after her marriage.
Christian Sprang and wife after their marriage settled down on a farm
near Mohieanville in Ashland County and all their children were born in
that locality. The record nf these two children is as follows: Fred, who
died leaving a family; .Mag(hdena, who married Frederick Hyde and
died in Allen County, Indiana, leaving children ; Jacob, who is a retired
farmer in the State of Kansas and has a famil_y of three daughters and
one son ; Philip, who died in Allen County leaving two children ; Godfrey,
a resident of iMichig.ni is father of one daughter; Sarah, who lives in
Defiance County, ohin, wi(h)w of John Kuhn and mother of two sons and
one daughter; Daniel, who is next to the youngest of the family; and
Simon P., a farmer in Allen County, who is married and has children.

Mr. Daniel Sprang was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 22,
1854. When he was twelve years of age the family left the scenes of his
birth and moved to Allen County, Indiana, locating near Poe postoftice.
The land which they acquired had been only partially improved, and it
remained for the energies of Christian Sprang and his sons to put it into
a productive state of cultivation and a home of modest comforts. This
old farm is now owned by two grandsons of Christian Sprang. Christian
Sprang died in Allen County in 1875 when nearh- fifty-nine years of age,

650 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

and his widow died later at the home of her daughter iu Defiance County,
Ohio, at the age of eighty-seven. She was an active member of the Evan-
gelical Church.

Daniel Sprang fini.shcd his education in Allen County, had a high
school course, and having wisely improved his early opportunities he
qualified as a teacher and followed that vocation for four years. While
living in Allen County he married for his first wife Alice Lichtenwalter.
She was born in that county in 1857. She died at her home in Decatur
May 2, 1895. She was an active member of the ^Methodist Episcopal
Church. ]\Irs. Sprang 's only child was Ella, who graduated from the
city high school of Decatur, and was for several yeai's a music teacher.
She was twice married, her first husband being Harry Bell, and by that
union there is a daughter, Margaret, now the wife of Willard Rohrer,
living in Michigan. For her second husband she married C. B. Wilcox.
Mrs. Wilcox died June 20, 1916.

For his present wife ^Ir. Sprang married Miss Lucy J. Vail. She wa.s
born in Ossian, Wells County, Indiana. May 2, 1864, and is member of
the well known Vail family elsewhere referred to in this publication. She
was well educated, and for eighteen years was one of the best known
teachers in Adams and Wells counties.

When ilr. Daniel Sprang came to Decatur in 1879 he entered the dry
goods business in partnership with Mr. Edington. In 1882 he and Charles
F. True bought Mr. Edington 's interest, and together the.y conducted a
high class store on Second Street in Decatur until 1899. Failing health
compelled Mr. Sprang to retire from this business at the time and he
then sold out to Mr. True. After a year of rest and recuperation he put
some of his capital into business with 'Sir. A. T. Vail, and they took up
the manufacture of barrel stock, at first at Markel, Indiana. Later they
conducted plants at Warren and Bloomfield, Ohio, at Linesville, Penn-
sylvania, but at present they conduct their plant and find their princi-
pal supply of raw material in Arkansas and ^Missouri. Mr. Vail is the
active manager of the business and remains on the ground, while Mr.
Sprang still keeps his home at Decatur.

ilr. Sprang is one of the older members of the board of directors of
the First National Bank of Decatur. He has various local interests and
is one of the men most frequently called upon for cooperation with
worthy public enterprises. He has served as noble grand of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, as district deputy, has filled various
chairs in the ]\Iasonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter, and is a member
of !Mizpah Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Fort Wayne. He and his
wife are active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and he has been
treasurer of the church since 1889 and many yeai's a trustee.

William B. Little. From pioneer times to the present hardly any
family in Wells County has been better known and more prominent
than the Littles. AVilliam B. Little has spent nearly all his life of sev-
enty-five years in this county and much of his experience has connected
him with county affairs, so that there is probably no man in the entire
county better posted on the official records and county business in gen-
eral. iMr. Little is a former county assessor, and whether an official or
in a private capacity has been one of the citizens chiefly influential in
making Bluffton and the county measure up to the best ideals and
progress.

Mr. Little was born in IMonroe County, New York, April 16, 1842, a
son of Horace W. and Susan (Burtis) Little. His father was born and
reared in the same county and state, while his mother was a native of
Dutchess County, New York. Grandfather Elijah Little was a native

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 651

of Massachusetts, went to Moni'oe County, New York, when a young
man, married there, and about 1860 came out to AYells County, Indiana,
where some years before h^ had acquired more than 1.000 acres of land
in sections 29 and 32, range 13, and also eighty acres in section 30.
Horace W. Little had come to AYells County, Indiana, in 1845, building
a cabin on the north half of section 32. He lived here only a short time,
and then returned to New York, but in 1856 came again to AYells County.
Then in 1863 he went back to New York State, where he spent his last
years. By his first wife there were two children, William B. and Elijah
H. The latter was born in 1844 and died in 1878.

AYilliam B. Little was educated largely in the public schools of New
York State. He married there October 23, 1871, Dora C. Ellis. In 1875
Mr. Little came to Indiana and located on the family farm in "Wells
County. During his early life he had some experience as a teacher.
From the time he removed to BlufPton in 1892 ;\Ir. Little had much to
do with the survej^or's office at the courthouse, and one of the main quali-
fications which entitled hini to the confidence of the citizens in his elec-
tion to the office of county assessor in the fall of 1910 was his thorough
familiarity with every branch of the public records. He entered upon
the duties of that office January 1, 1911. For six years Mr. Little was a
member of the city council. That was a period of Bluffton's greatest
advancement and growth. During that time much street paving was
laid and five miles of sewerage was constructed. Air. Little had active
superintendence of the sanitary sewerage section.

Mr. Little has one son, DeForest Little, who wa.s born October 30,
1878. He is a graduate of the Bluffton High School and is now deputy
postmaster at Bluffton. Mr. William Little is affiliated with Bluffton
Lodge No. 145. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has always
been interested in local politics as a democrat. He is a veteran of the
Civil war, having enlisted ^lay 3, 1864, in the navy, and serving until
the close of the war. He has membership in Lew Daily Post of the
Grand Army of the Republic.

I. A. AIerriman has had a long and active career in business affairs
at Bluffton, and is now engaged in the real estate and loan business,
with a large clientage among those people who appreciate his trust-
worthy judgment and thoroughly reliable business principles.

Air. Merriman represents one of the old and prominent families of
Wells Coimty. His grandfather AA'illiam B. Alerriman was born in
Wayne County, Ohio. November 22. 1816. a son of Elijah and Mary
(AlcCoy) Alerriman. The parents of AA'illiam B. had come from Fayette
County, Pennsylvania, to Ohio just nine days before AA'illiam was born.
William B. Merriman first acquired an interest in AVells County in 1844
when he bought eighty acres and in 1851 he became a permanent resi-
dent in section 21 of Lancaster Township. He was a skillful carpenter
and followed his trade throughout Wells County for a period of over
thirty years. He made his home in Lancaster Township until 1900,
when he removed to Bluffton, where both he and his wife died in
advanced years. AA'illiam B. Alerriman married November 12, 1838,
Elizabeth Knight, who was born in Beaver County. Pennsylvania, Sep-
tember 16, 1820. William B. Alerriman was an active democrat and east
his first presidential vote for Alartin A^an Buren in 1836. He and his
wife had six children, and five of them are still living: Mrs. Lucinda
Dailey, widow of S. AI. Dailey. living in Alissouri : Alary Ann, widow of
Sutton Patte ; Ezra D. ; L. Alason, who lives in Arkansas ; and AA'illiam
H., of Bluffton.

Ezra D. Alerriman, father of the Bluffton business man, was born

652 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

in Wayue Couiitj', Ohio, and was reared on the old farm in Lancaster
Township. He lived at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when
he married Sarah Kirkendall of Whitley County, Indiana. After a
brief residence in Bluffton they removed to a farm in Lancaster Town-
ship and that was their home until the death of the mother on Decem-
ber 12, 1889. She had three children : W. H. ]\Ierriman, a grocery mer-
chant at Bluffton; I. A. Merriman ; and Don K., who died at the age of
two years.

1. A. ilerriraan was reared on a farm until he was twenty years of
age, and received his early education in district schools and had one
term in tlie Blufifton High School. At the age of sixteen he began work-
ing for himst4f on a farm, but when twenty-one he came to Bluffton and
engaged in the restaurant business. He conducted a restaaraut and
bakery at Bluffton for a period of twenty years. Since then he has been
in the real estate and loan business.

June 19, 1898, he married Miss Ida B. ililler, daughter of Reuben
Miller. Mrs. ilerriman was born in Wells County and was educated in
the public schools. They have two bright and interesting children : Jen-
nie B., the older, was born September 2_1. 1900, graduated from the Bluff-
ton High School in 1917, and is now a student in the Woman's College
at Oxford, Ohio. The other child, Lester M., was born April 5, 1902,
i-oini)li'ted the course of the common schools in 1917. The family are
active nieinliers of the Baptist Church in which Mr. ilerriman is a trustee
and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. The daughter is a
finished musician for one of her years, and plays the pipe organ in the
church. The boy is also well known in local musical circles as a singer,
ilr. ^lerriman is a democrat but has never sought office of any kind and
is entirely devoted to his business, his family and his church.

Samuel Gehrett. Among the citizens of Wells County whose past
and present record entitles them to a share in the credit now being paid
the American farmer as one of the principal upholders of liberty and
national resources, is Mr. Samuel Gehrett, whose productive and well
cultivated estate of eighty acres lies in section 16 of Nottingham Town-
ship. Mr. Gehrett and family get their daily mail delivery over Rural
Route No. 2 out of Key.stone.

IMr. Gehrett was born on section 12 in Nottingham Township Novem-
ber 18, 1858, and is member of an old and prominent family of the
county. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (King) Gehrett. His
father was born in Ohio, married there, and in the early days came to
Wells County and bought land in section 11 of Nottingham Township,
where he spent the rest of his days. He died in 18G2, and his wife
passed away in the same year. Of their ten children one died in infancy,
and those living today are Amos, Noah, George, Henry. Sarah and
Samuel.

Sanmel Gehrett was eight years old when his father died and he grew
up in the home of his uncle David King. He remained with Mr. King
until he was eighteen and had such advantages as the local schools
offered and for three months attended school at Ridgeville. Indiana. He
acquired a practical knowledge of farming by experience and after his
marriage he went to farming for himself.

His first wife was Etna Henly. who died leaving one daughter. Ber-
tha, now the wife of Andrew Gottschalk. His .second wife was Rachel
Tappv, daughter of Simon Tappy. The children of this union are
Hugli and Homer, both gi-aduates of the Petroleum High School and
now married and living in homes of their own in Nottingham Township.
Mr. Gehrett married for his third wife Lucy Kemper, a native of Ohio.

ADAJIR AND WELLS COUNTIES 653

They have one daughter, ilagdalene, born May 15, 1907, and now a
student in the Petroleum public schools. The family are members of
the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Gehrett is one of the church
trustees and he and his wife take an active part in all the church affairs.
The people of Nottingham Township have always esteemed his judg-
ment and ability and for six years they had the benefit of his services
as township trustee. Politically he is a democrat.

Joseph E. Bennett. Among Chester Townsliip's substantial citizens,
no one is better known or more highly respected than Joseph E. Ben-
nett an extensive farmer and grower of high grade stock. For thirty-six
years he has been a resident of Wells Count}' and has followed farm
pursuits in a thorough and intelligent manner.

Joseph E. Bennett was born in Huntington County, Indiana, on his
father's farm in Wayne Township, August 10, 1862. His parents were
Isaac and Mary (Fullhart) Bennett. The father was born in Pennsyl-
vania and the mother in Ohio and they were married in the latter state
and in 1837 came as pioneers to Jefferson Township, Huntington County.
Indiana. Mr. Bennett finally bought a tract of wild land three miles
west of Mount Etna, Indiana. It was so heavily timbered that he had
to clear a spot before he could get a site on which to build the usual
little log cabin of pioneer days. The location was in the depths of the
woods, so far frona the nearest mill, at Fort Wayne, that frequently four
days were consumed in making the trip back and forth. In those early
days his wife and children kept themselves closely shut within the cabin
while he v.'as absent, as the surrounding timber held deer, wolves and
even bear. He blazed the first road that led to civilization there. He
was an industrious, hard-working man and in time improved his property
and put up new buildings and made a comfortable home. He was in-
tensely loyal to his government, however, and when the Civil war came
on he entered the army, only to fall a victim, in 1862. He was the father
of seven sons and three claughters and died without ever seeing his
youngest son. The mother of Joseph E. Bennett, a noble woman, kept
her family together, but when she died in 1874 they were separated
and each one had to find a new home. Those living in 1917 are the fol-
lowing: Sarah, who is the widow of T. A. Ellis; Silas, who lives at
Rassville, Illinois; John, William and Joseph E., all living in Wells
County, Indiana ; and Isaac, who lives at Robison, Illinois.

Joseph E. Bennett tenderly preserves the memory of a father he was
never permitted to see, and equally that of his self-sacrificing mother,
from whom he parted when twelve years. She taught him to be honest
and industrious and under her discipline he attended school and worked
for farmers near his old home until he was nineteen years old and then
came to Wells County. Here he entered the employ of farmers and
worked steadily for a number of years for others before acquiring land
for himself.

Mr. Bennett was married in 1887, to iliss Mary Miller, who died
without children, in 1910. His second marriage was to Mrs. ]\Iay (Swear-
inger) Noble, widow of George Noble. They have a finely improved
farm of 155 acres in Chester Township. Mr. Bennett having done much
improving and he and wife now have one of the beautiful farms in this
neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are active members and liberal
supporters of the Christian Church at Chester Center and he is one of
the trustees. In politics he is a republican. He is a stockholder in the
Poneto Elevator.

Robert K. Souder. Americans are beginning to realize the moral as
well as the historical significance of genealogical foundations. A nation

654 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

which relies upon the records of its homes for its national character,
cannot att'ord to ignore the value of genealogical investigation, as one
of the truest sources of patriotism. The love of home inspires the love
of country. There is a wholesome influence in genealogical research
which cannot be over-estimated. Moreover there is a deep human in-
terest to it.

Martin Souder, founder of the Souder family in America, was a
native of England, where he was reared and married and whence he
immigrated to the United States in an early day. He and his wife settled
in New Jersey and there resided until about 1835, when they emigrated
to Wells County, Indiana, here purchasing a tract of 450 acres of land,
on which the only improvement was a diminutive log cabin. He cleared
the land and improved the same and resided on it until his demise.
He was active in polities and was a man of influence in his home com-
munity. Mrs. Souder died in Rock Creek Township. She bore her hus-
band one son, Robert, whose birth occurred in New Jersey, February
14, 1827. He was twenty-two years of age on his arrival in Wells County
and here he married Elizabeth Watson, who was born in England and
came to America with her parents at the age of thii-teen years : she was
reared to maturity and educated in Rock Creek Township. After mar-
riage they located in Lancaster Township, where they passed the rest
of their lives. They were the parents of five children, three of whom
died in infancy : Alice married Andrew Reed and is now deceased ;
and Thomas M. is the next in line of descent. He was reared on his
parents' farm in Lancaster Township and there attended the district
schools. He married Lydia il. Kunkel, a daughter of ^lichael and ^lary
(Kleinknecht) Kunkel. His birth occurred in Lancaster Township,
July 8, 1852. He was a farmer during the greater part of his active
career. The following children were born to him and his \\'ife : George
T.. Robert K.. Minnie, wife of Earl Waugh, and Hugh 'M. ]\Ir. and
Mrs. Thomas 'M. Souder are still living, and are now residents of Bluffton.
Robert K. Souder was born on the old homestead in Lancaster Town-
ship, Wells County, Indiana, December 6, 1880. As a boy he assisted
his father on the farm and attended the local schools. At the age of
fifteen years he came to Bluffton, attended high school here for a time,
and then became associated with his uncle, W. A. Kunkel. in different
lines of work. In recent years they have had extensive interests in the
oil fields of Indiana, Illinois and Oklahoma, and ilr. Souder has spent
much of his time as superintendent of these interests in Oklahoma. He
is a good mixer, is well liked by his fellow men and is recognized as one
of the prosperous and honorable citizens of Wells County.

In 1911 Mr. Souder was united in marriage to Miss Zada Sprowl,
a daughter of George II. and Kittie (Johnston) Sprowl, residents of
Warren. Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Souder have one daughter, Janet Craig.
Mr. Souder is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and his political allegiance is given to the
democratic party. He has for many years past been a prominent citizen
of Bluffton and "his activity in business affairs, his co-operation in_ public
interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believes will con-
tribute to the material, social or moral improvement of the community
keeps him in the foremost rank of those to whom the city owes its de-
velopment. His life has been characterized by upright honorable prin-
ciples and his genial manner wins him the kind regard of all with whom
he comes in contact.

David ]M. Lowdermilk. For many years a resident of the Village
of Liberty Center, David M. Lowdermilk is a man of recognized ability

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 655

and worth, and by his careful attention to those things that contribute
to the welfare and progress of society has shown himself a public-spirited
and useful member of his community. A sou of the late Alfred B.
Lowdermilk, he was born in Huntington County, Indiana, near Warren-
July 15, 1875.

A native of Randolph County, Xorth Carolina, Alfred B. Lowder-
milk was there reared and educated. Soon after the close of the Civil
war, he came with his family to Hamilton County, Indiana, where he
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Moving to Huntington County, this
state, in 1873, he was for iifteen years a resident of Salamonie Township.
In 1888 he settled in Liberty Township, Wells County, and there resided
until his death, April 15, 1910. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary
J. Cox, was born in North Carolina, and is now living in Liberty Center.
Seven children were born of their union, namely: Luella, widow of
William Kain, of Liberty Center; Anna, wife of George W. Niblick;
Emma and Rosa, deceased; David M., with whom this brief sketch is
chiefly concerned; John E., of Frankfort, Indiana; and JIaggie, wife
of Charles 0. Ciu'ran, of Liberty Center.

Brought up in Wells County, Indiana, David M. Lowdermilk was
educated in the public schools, and as a young man became familiar
with the various branches of agriculture. Leaving at the age of twenty
years, he followed farming to .some extent, and for many years operated
a threshing machine, carrying on an extensive and lucrative business
with the farmers of Wells County, and at present is one of the largest
hay dealers in Northern Indiana.

Mr. Lowdermilk married, in 1900, Anna Michael. She passed to the
life beyond January 17, 1917, leaving two children, Llerman and Louis.
A stanch advocate of the principles of the democratic party, JMr.
Lowdermilk is prominent in public affairs, and as candidate for county
treasurer received a goodly number of the votes cast. Fraternally he
is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 14:5, Ancient Free and Accepted
Order of IMasons; of the Improved Order of Red ilen. Independent Order
of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 717, and Loval Order of iloose. Bluft'ton
Lodge No. 212.

James A. McBride. In view of the nomadic spirit which dominates
the American public and causes its citizens to wander restlessly about
from one place to another it is most gratifying to come in contact with
a man who has pas.sed practically his entire life in the place where he
was born and reai-ed. Mr. McBride is a public-spirited citizen and has
served his community in various official positions of trust and responsi-
bility. He has been county coroner, was treasurer of Wells County for
a term of four yeai-s, and is now devoting the major portion of his
time and attention to the management of his fine undertaking and furni-
ture establishment at Bluffton.

James Alfred McBride was born in Bluffton. Indiana, December 13,
1869, and he is a son of William Warren and Mary (Miller) McBride.
The father was born at Salem, in ^Montgomery County, Ohio, Decem-
ber 24, 1838, and he was summoned to the life eternal in Bluffton, on
the 30th of June, 1909. He wa,s a son of William and Barbara (Har-
baugh) ]\IcBride. who were natives of Lewiston. Pennsylvania, later
moving to Ohio, whence they emigrated to the State of Indiana and lo-
cated in Bluft'ton, Wells County, February 22. 1841, at which early day
this place was a mere hamlet. Here Mr. McBride established a furniture
and undertaking business, which has continued down through four gen-
erations of the name. William McBride was born in 1805 and he died
May 15, 1871. He was a stanch democrat in politics and in religious

656 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

faith was a devout ]\Ictliodisl. His L-herished and devoted wife, wliose
luaideu name was Barbara Ilarbaugli, was born in 1813, and passed
to tlie life eternal November 3, 1853.

William Warren MeBride grew to maturity in Bluffton and at an
earl\- age was enrolled as a pupil in the lirst subscription school taught
in Wells County. On leaving school he entered his father's store and
by diligent application soon became expert in the business he was to fol-
low all his life. After his father's demise he became sole proprietor of
the business and extended the same until it became known as one of the
substantial mercantile establishments of Wells County. Mr. McBride
was one of the honorable and upright citizens who helped materially to
build up this section of the state. His word was as good as his bond.
He was a firm believer in the principles of the democratic party and
was elected coroner of Wells County, serving in that capacity with the
utmost efficiency until 1904. Fraternally, he was a member of Bluffton
Lodge No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious
faith coincided with the doctrines set forth by the ^lethodist Episcopal
Church, in which he was an active worker. He married Mary Miller,
December 5, 1861, and to them were born the following children : Mary
E., born January 8, 1863, was the wife of H. H. Deam at the time of
her death, on the 30th of September, 1902; James A. is the subject of
this review; and Maude, born April 22, 1876, is now a resident of Bluff-
ton. ^Irs. ilcBride was a woman of attractive pei-sonality and she is af-
fectionately remembered by all who knew her.

A native of Bluffton, as previously noted, James Alfred, or "Fred"
ilcBride, as he is better known, has spent his entire life in this city.
As a boy he attended the public schools and the high school of Bluffton
and he initiated his business career as an assistant in his father's store.
He early familiarized himself with the furniture and undertaking busi-
ness and on his father's death inherited the large establishment built
up by him. In 1915 the old furniture store that was built in 1863, was
torn down and a fine, up-to-date structure was erected on the west side
of ]\Iain Street, opposite the Elks' Home. In order to render his serv-
ices more valuable to the commiinity he pursued a course of study in an
embalming school in Chicago, being graduated in the same. Like his
father and grandfather before him, he is a democrat in politics and he
has served with marked eiBciency as county coroner and as treasurer of
Wells County, retiring from the latter office January 1, 1917, after a
term of four years. Mr. McBride is a man of marked enterprise and
initiative. Strictly honest and straightforward in his business methods,
he commands the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all with whom he
has come in contact. He was reared a ]\Iethodist and is a prominent mem-
ber of the local church of that denomination. Fraternally, he affiliates
with the time-honored ilasonic order, being Thirty-second degree ]\Iason
and a member of the Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, and Junior Order of Amer-
ican ileehanics.

In 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McBride to ]\Iiss Cora B.
Prillaman, a daughter of Lewis Prillaman, a sukstantial farmer and
an ex-county commissioner of Wells Covuity. This union has been pro-
lific of one son. William Warren McBride, who was born in Bluft'ton
October 20, 1895. He was graduated in the local high school and in
an embalming school in Chicago and was associated with his father in
business, being the fourth generation in this line. Young Mr. McBride.
like his immediate ancestors, was a credit to the business life of this com-
munity and he well upholds the prestige of the honored name he bears.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 657

fie is now in the United States Army, being a member of the Hospital
Corps.

George W. Watson. The Watsons came to Wells Conuty as early
settlers and for many years have been identified with the agrienltnral
development of this section. A worthy representative of this tine old
family is found in George W. Watson, who was born in Nottingham
Township, Wells County. Indiana, April 7, 1855, and is a son of John
M. and Elenore (Winfield) Watson. Both parents were born in Penn-
sylvania and went to Ohio in their youth and were married there and
about 1850 came to Wells County.

When the parents of Mr. Watson came to Indiana they found pioneer
conditions prevailing through all this part of the state. There were
many tracts of land yet uncleared and wild game was plentiful where
now towns stand and richly cultivated tields lie. They located on a
tract of land in Nottingham Township and the father had to clear a
spot on which to erect his log cabin. He developed a tine farm here
and this continued the homestead and here the parents died. They were
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their eleven
children nine grew to maturity and the following survive: Mark, who
is a resident of Domestic, Indiana ; George W. ; John E., who lives at
Vera Cruz; Amanda, deceased, was the wife of Ephraim Reynolds.

George W. Watson was reared in his native township and obtained
his education in the public schools. . He remained on the home farm until
he was twenty-three years old and then was married and settled on his
present home farm of eighty acres. He also owned another farm o±
eighty acres located in Adams County, Indiana, which he sold in 1918.
Mr. Watson has been a farmer all his mature life and carries on his op-
erations with the good judgment tb;it cxiicrience has ripened.

Mr. Watson was married Septniilici- :;(l, 1877, to Miss Sarah A. Gott-
schalk, who was born on a farm adjoining the one on which she now
lives, June 18, 1851, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Heller)
Gottschalk. Both were born in Ohio and were brought to Indiana in
childhood and grew up and were married here. Mr. and Mrs. Watson
have three children : Lawrence E., who was born April 3, 1878, is a
buyer of horses and lives in Blufftou; Lewis E., who was born January
10, 1880, is in the auto truck sales business in Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania; and Ada M., w'ho was born December 8, 1882, is the wife of
Ervin D. JMiller and they reside in Nottingham Township. There are
eleven grandchildren in the family.

In politics Mr. Watson is a republican. With his family he belongs
to the Evangelical Church which is situated not far distant. Both he
and wife are active members and he is one of the church trustees and a
class leader. They are kind, friendly, hospitable people and have a wide
circle of acquaintances and take part in the pleasant social affairs which
bind the neighborhood together.

Albert N. Steele. In the course of a long and active career Albert
N. Steele handled many business interests and responsibilities in Adams
County, and is still to some extent engaged in looking after his private
affairs and investments, even though he regards himself as retired. He
is well known throughout the length and breadth of Adams County,
where he has spent most of his life. He is enjoying the comforts of a
well appointed home at 503 West Madison Street.

Mr. Steele is of old Pennsylvania stock. His grandfather, Jacob
Steele, was a Penusylvanian and when his son, Levi, father of Albert,
was quite j'oung moved with wagons and teams to Ashland Coiuity, Ohio,

658 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

Tlio grandfather developed a tract of new land, cleared away the forest,
and there he and his wife died when they were not yet seventy years of
age. They had a large family, the sous being Levi, Adam, John, George,
Samuel, Jacob, Jr., and David. Among the daughtei's were ;\Irs. Maria
Boyd, Sophia Stoler and ilrs. David Stiefers. Of the soils Levi and
David Steele were twins and were born February 9, 1818. They grew
up in Ashland County, and David became a carpenter while Levi learned
the trade of tanner. In Ashland County he worked at his trade and
married Sarah Valentine, who was boi-u in Pennsylvania February 15,
1819, but was reared in Ashland County, where her parents spent many
years of their lives. After marriage Levi Steele and wife continued to
reside in Ashlaud County, and all their children were born there. In
the fall of 1861 they moved to Adams County, Indiana, and located
in the woods in Union Township. Levi had charge of a tannery for
George Benders, his sou-in-law, during the Civil war, and at the same
time managed to put in some hard work in clearing up his forty acres
of laud. Later he l)ought another place of sixty acres, and lived on
that farm until his death in 1885 at the age of sixty-seven. His widow
survived him and died at Decatur at the age of seventy-seven. Both were
very active and prominent members of the Church of God and did much
to sustain that denomination in the county. Levi Steele was a republican
in politics.

Albert N. Steele, who was born in Ashlaud Countj% Ohio, March 21,
1842, was one of a family three sons and one daughter of which are still
living, all in Adams County, and one, Samuel L., died in the army. ilr.
Steele was nineteen years of age when the family came to Adams Countj^,
and besides the les.sous he learned from hooks and schools in his native lo-
cality he acquired a full and thorough proficiency in the tanning trade.
He worked as a tanner when all leather was tanned by the old processes,
including a liberal use of tanbark. For some years he worked as a tanner
for Levi Bartlett, was in business as a partner with him, and learned the
butcher's trade. In 1875 he engaged in the butcher business with a
shop on Second Street in Decatur, and a year later ilr. Bartlett became
his partner. After two years ilr. Steele sold his interests and subse-
quently engaged in the wind mill and pump business, and still later took
in his brother, George E., as a pai-tner. They added a plumbing depart-
ment, and Mr. Steele was one of the familiar figures of this branch of
business in Adams County for fully thirty years. In 1911 he sold his
interests to his brother George and then retired to look after his private
atfairs. Mr. Steele owns five fine residence properties in Decatur. In
politics he is a republican. He has been a member of the Church of
God since boyhood.

His first wife was Julia Stephens, a member of the Church of God.
She was born in Pennsylvania but was reared and educated at Moline,
Illinois, where she lived in the home of an uncle, George Stephens. Mi-s.
Steele died at Decatur in the prime of life at the age of thirty-three.
She left no children, and was an active member of the IMethodist
Episcopal Church, For his second wife Mr. Steele married at Decatur
Mrs. Elizabeth ]\Iarquart. She was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb-
ruary 19, 1842, was educated there, and her first husband was Jacob
Marquart. Mrs. Steele died August 15. 1914. By her first marriage she
had one daughter, Anna M., who was born in 1872 and was reared and
educated in Decatur. She married Samuel Laman of Adams County.
Jlr. Laman is now deceased, and he left a valuable estate worth more
than .■i;25,000. Mrs. Laman had two children, Neva and Naomi, aged
fourteen and eleven years, respectively, and now attending school at

ADAMS AND ^YELLS COUNTIES 659

Battle Creek, Jlichigan. Jlr. Steele is guardian and trustee for these
two girls aud also for their iDroperty.

Harry E. Moltz. It is uot possible to overestimate the value of an
active and directing intelligence as a factor in business success or ad-
vancement in any line. Without this quality, no man, however skilled
or however industrious, can expect to attain the full rewards and achieve-
ments that constitute even a reasonable degree of commercial achieve-
ment.

This quality has been a preeminent trait of one of Decatur's oldest
and best known business men, Harry R. ]\Ioltz. Mr. Moltz is now sec-
retary and treasurer and is giving most of his time to the business of
the Decatur Produce Company. For a number of years he was also a
dry goods merchant at Decatur. He possesses a fine and active mind
and his superior judgment in business affairs has brought him a high
position of esteem among his fellow associates, by whom he is frequently
consulted.

The Decatur Produce Company was organized and incorporated in
1905. It is a highly successful business and one of the factors in secur-
ing a prompt and equitable distribution of farm and dairy products
between the producer and consumer. The business has enjoyed a steady
growth and prosperity, aud it now has a large plant 80x100 feet, sit-
uated with access both to the Erie and Clover Leaf railway tracks.
The plant is well adapted for its purposes, one part being for general
storage and handling and another equipped with refrigeration facilities.
This is perhaps the cMef medium in Adams County through which the
butter, eggs and poultry raised Ln the surrounding districts are con-
centrated and sent to market. The company ships these products every-
where, though New York is the main market. On the average they
send out about two carload of eggs every week and a carload of poultry.
The entire management and direction of the business is through Mr.
Moltz, secretary and treasurer of the company. The other two officers,
W. B. Frisinger. president, lives at Roekford, Ohio, while the vice
president, J. L. Mosur, is also a non-resident.

Mr. Jloltz is also a factor in the same line of business at Bluffton,
where he is .pi-esident of the Berling & I\Ioltz Company, which operates
a large warehouse and plant handling produce. The business at Bluff-
ton has been in existence for about ten years.

Harry R. Moltz was born in Van Wert Count.y, Ohio, in 1866. and
received most of his early training in the schools at Van Wert, Fulton
County, Ohio. When he was quite a young man in 1891 he came to
Decatur, and here for twenty-one years was prominently engaged in
the dry goods business, most of the time as president of the Kuebler-
Moltz Company, now the Kuebler Company.

Mr. Moltz is a son of George W. and Mary (Hull) iloltz, both natives
of Pennsylvania and married at Republic, Ohio. After their marriage
they settled at Van Wert, where the father spent his active life as a dry
goods merchant. He died at the age of sevent.y-eight and his wife
pas.sed away in Van Wert in 1868 when in the prime of life. They
were active members of the Lutheran Church.

Harry L. Moltz married at Decatur Anna Dailey, who was reared
and educated here, wliere her parents were well known residents for
nnny years and her mother is still living. Mrs. Moltz is active in th<»
Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moltz is affiliated with the Sub-
ordinate and Encampment degrees of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, and is also a Blue Lodge Mason and a member of the Con-

660 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES

history at Fort Wayne. Politically he is identified with the republican
party.

John W. Collins. Farming and stockraising have proved profitable
industries as they have been carried on by John W. Collins, who is one
of the substantial men of Wells County, who owns many acres of fertile
land here, all of which has been acquired through his own industrj- and
good judgment, ilr. Collins was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May
10, 1854. His parents were Noah S. and Sarah (Cox) Collins. The
father was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 24, 1823, and the mother in
the same county and state, October 17, 1823.

After their marriage. Noah S. Collins and hi.s wife moved to Picka
way County, Ohio, and still later to Madison County in the same state,
and there Mr. Collins died in May, 1876, and his widow in November,
1907. They were most worthy people and were faithful members of the
United Brethren Church. Of their eight children but two survive, John
W. and R. F., the latter being a resident of Fayette County, Ohio.

John W. Collins obtained his education in the public schools in Ohio
and remained with his parents until he was twenty years old and then
came to Indiana. He soon found that the farmers here had great need
of strong, industrious, willing young men and without difficulty found
employment and through prudence and continued industrj' for a num-
ber of years, finally found himself in a position to invest in land and
he continued to invest until at the present day he owns 100 acres of some
of the best farm land in Harrison Township, which is his home farm,
and 160 acres situated in Nottingham Township, Wells County. He has
made many substantial improvements and all his land is exceedingly val-
uable. General farming and stockraising have engaged his attention
and he has been so successful that he is considered one of the best judges
of stock in this section.

Mr. Collins has been twice married. His first wife, who was Maggie
Tuttle, was born in AVells County, Indiana, and died here July 29, 1879.
She was the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased. i^Jr.
Collins was married July 14, 1881. to Miss Emma Howard. She was
born in Jackson County, Ohio, December 4, 1855, and was about ten
years old when her parents brought her to Wells County and she attended
the public schools in Harrison Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins the
following children have been born : Bessie, who resides with her parents :
Leroy, who assists his father, is a graduate of the business college' at
Bluffton ; Minnie A., who is the wife of Roy Hendricks, a farmer in
Adams County, Indiana; Lloyd, who is a farmer on his father's land in
Nottingham Township ; and Howard, who was a farmer in Harrison
Township, died in October, 1917. Jlr. Collins has seventeen grand-
children.

Mr. Collins comes of an old democratic family and all his life has
given his political support to this organization but has never desired
public office.

Daniel T. Brinneman. Thei-e are turning points in every man's life
called opportunity. Taken advantage of they mean ultimate success.
The career of Daniel T. Brinneman is a striking illustration of the latter
statement. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he
has progressed steadily until he is recognized today as one of the prom-
inent citizens of Bluffton, where he is president and treasurer of the
Bluffton Improvement Company and the present efficient incumbent of
the office of county recorder of Wells County. He is held in high esteem
by Ills fellow men, who honor him for his native ability and for his fair
and straightforward career.

ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 661

The founder of the Briimeman family in Wells Cnuiity, Indiana, was
Melakiah Brinneman, a native of the State of Pcniisylviinia, whence he
emigrated to the Hoosier state. His son, Cornelius, was I mm in section
16 Chester Township, Wells County, and there grew to maturity and
was educated. He married Maria A. Bruce and to them were born five
children, two of whom died in infancy ; the others, living in 1917, are :
Charles W. A., a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Bertha ]\I., now a
resident of California; and Daniel T., of this review. .Mrs. :\Iaria A.
Brinneman passed away July 20, 1916.

Daniel Theron Brinneman was born on a farm in Chester Township,
Wells County, the date of his nativity being October 10, 1876. He
lived in the vicinity of his birth until 1887, in which year the family
home was established in the City of Indianapolis, where he attended
school until he Avas twelve years old. At that tender age he began to
make his own living, working at different things for several years. He
also provided for his widowed mother and among other things he learned
in the capital city was the barber's trade. In 1895 he returned to Wells
Count.y and located in Bluffton. where he worked in different barber
shops until 1906, in which year he purchased a shop and operated the
same for about one year. Disposing of his shop in 1907, he went to
Michigan for the improvement of his health and remained in that state
for four months. He then returned to Bluffton, bought another barber
shop and conducted it for nearly a year. In 1909 he engaged in the
real estate business, in partnership with the late John W^. Tribolet and
after the latter 's death took over the entire business. Three years from
that time he purchased the Wandell Barber Shop, which he conducted
for six months, eventually selling the same. In the spring of 1914 he
was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of i-ounty recorder.
He was nominated by 1,259 votes, and he assumed office January 1, 1916.
He is a conscientious worker and has proved himself well fitted for the
responsible position he holds. In 1917 he organized the Bluff'ton Im-
provement Company for the purpose of buying, improving and selling
real estate, and of this concern he is president and treasurer. Mrs
Brinneman is vice president and Mary Crum secretary.

September 12, 1911, Mr. Brinneman married .Miss Elva Randall, a
daughter of Franklin Randall, a prominent farmer in Lanca.ster Town-
ship, Wells County. i\Irs. Brinneman is a graduate of the Craigville High
School and of the Bluff'ton Business College. Two children are the result
of this union : Helen, aged six, and Franklin, aged three.

Mr. Brinneman is a member of Bluff'ton Lodge No. 92, Knights of
Pythias and of Minnetonka Tribe No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men. His
interest in political questions is deep and sincere and he gives an earnest
support to democratic principles, believing that the platform of that
party contains the best elements of good government. Mr. Brinneman
is absolutely a self-made man and for that reason his success in life is
tlie more gratifying to contemplate.

T. Frank Brov^-n. One of the best improved farms in Chester Town-
ship, Wells County, is that owned by T. Frank Brown, a representative
citizen and successful farmer and stockman. Mr. Brown was born in
Guernsey County, Ohio, July 6, 1852, and is a son of William and Har-
riet (Johnson) Brown.

William Brown was born in 1812, in Guernsey County, Ohio, where
his parents had settled when they came from Ireland. He was married
in Muskingum County, Ohio, to Harriet Johnson, who was born October
3, 1817, in Maryland, but grew to womanliood in JIuskingum County.
They became the parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew

662 ADAMS AND T\'ELLS COUNTIES

to maturity, but T. Frank Bro-ivn is the only one living in Indiana.
Botli parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. The old farm
in Guernsey County consisted of 400 acres, and William Brown also car-
ried on a "tanning business. He was a man of sterling character and
superior judgment, was stanch in his support of the republican party
and was frequently elected to responsible public offices. He was town-
ship trustee and school director and for nine years was a county com-
missioner. His death occurred July 1, 1890.

T. Frank Brown attended the country' schools in Guernsey County
during the winter seasons until he was eighteen j^ears old and remained
at home assisting his father until 1879. In August of that year he came
to Wells Couut.y, Indiana, and located on the farm he now owns in
Chester Township, purchasing the same before he was married, on Feb-
ruary 11, 1880, to Rose JM. Schriber, who died September 7, 1896. She
also was a native of Guernsey County. Ohio, born ]\Iareh 27, 1860, and
was educated at the Cambridge High School. They had three cMldren :
William M., who was born December 4, 1880, died December 13, 1888;
Arthur S., who was born June 4, 1SS4, is a graduate of the Liberty
Center High School; and Cecile R., who was born May 17. 1891. This
young lady was educated very carefully. At the age of eleven years she
Ijeeame a pupil in the Immaculate Conception Academy, at Oldenburg,
Indiana, and remained there until she had completed the academic course
and was graduated in 1910. She is a member of Crescent Chapter No.
48, Order of the Eastern Star, at Bluffton, Indiana. Arthur S. is a
member of Bluffton Lodge No. 14-5, Free and Accepted Masons, and of
Bluffton Lodge No. 796, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Brown owns 191 acres in Chester Township and carries on large
farming and stock operations here. In 1914 he completed the erection
of one of the finest residences in the township if not in the county, its
composition being of veneered brick and stucco, that presents a hand-
some exterior, while every modern comfort and convenience has been
added to its interior equipment. Its surroundings are equally attractive.

In politics Mr. Brown is a republican but has never been very active
in campaign work and has never desired political preferment for him-
self. He is always ready, however, to co-operate with others in move-
ments that will benefit this section and is a strong advocate of good roads.
He is a member of BluflEton Lodge No. 145, Free and Accepted Masons,
and of the Elks, No. 796, Bluffton.

John 0. Kunkel, now a resident of Chester Township in Wells
County, is member of that old and prominent Kunkel family which has
been identified with this county from pioneer times and its activities and
influence as good citizens have been widespread.

Mr. Kunkel was born on a farm in Lancaster Township of Wells
County December 23. 18.52. He is a son of Michael and ilary A. (Klein-
kneightl Kunkel. iliehael Kunkel was born in York County, Pennsyl-
vania, Septeml)er 16, 1816, son of Jlichael and Catherine (Sence) Kun-
kel. The grandfather removed from Pennsylvania to Crawford County,
Ohio, where he developed a farm in the wilderness and lived there until
his death. ^Michael Kunkel, Jr., married for his first wife Julia ^Masou,
who died about 1847. the mother of five children. One of these children,
Samuel Kunkel. a half brother of John 0.. is distinguished as the founder
and originator of the Town of Tocsin in Wells County. He owned the
land and in 1882 had a portion of it surveyed into lots and that was the
beginning of the village. For his second wife Jlichael Kunkel married
Mary A. Kleinkneight, and soon afterward they came with their family
to Adams County, Indiana, settling on a farm near Decatur and two

WILLIAM A. Illtill

ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES 663

years later removed to Lancaster Township of Wells County. Michael
Kunkel was a practical farmer in that section until 1883, when he
removed to Bluffton in order to give his children the advantages of the
higher schools there. He died at Bluffton in May, 1886. By his second
marriage there were seven children : Martha A., who died in infancy ;
John 0.; Lydia Matilda, wife of T. M. Souder; Rebecca A., who